3 takeaways after OKC Thunder grind out win over Los Angeles Lakers

The OKC Thunder ground out a 107-100 win on the road against the LeBron James-less Los Angeles Lakers. TI presents three takeaways from the victory.

Despite shooting a terrible 38.1 percent from the field, the OKC Thunder used Paul George’s big night (37 points on 17-29 shooting, 2-11 from three, 5-7 from the line) and suffocating defense to down the Los Angeles Lakers 107-100. LeBron James missed his fourth straight game with a groin strain while Kyle Kuzma left after 16 minutes with lower back soreness.

The Thunder shot 43.6 percent in the first half to take a 59-57 lead but fell behind by four points thanks to an anemic 19 point third quarter. OKC shot 21.6 percent from the field with PG13 scoring 11 of Oklahoma City’s 19 points. Los Angeles took a 72-68 lead heading into the fourth.

OKC’s bench came out tough in the fourth, causing the Lakers to miss their first nine shots and turn the ball over twice in the first five and a half minutes of the quarter. The Thunder’s second unit turned a four-point deficit into a six-point lead on the back of a 13-5 run. OKC’s starters checked back in and held the Lakers all the way to the finish.

Here are three takeaways from the game.