OKC Thunder: 3 keys to upsetting the defending champion Lakers
OKC Thunder key number 2: Rebounding
Sifting through the Lakers statistics doesn’t offer much fodder for weaknesses. The Lakers have the top-rated defense and eighth-ranked offense.
Other areas where the Lakers rank high are:
- Third in blocks (6.0)
- Third in field goal percentage (48.7 percent)
- Fifth in 3-point efficiency (38.2 percent)
- Third in perimeter defense (34.3 percent)
- First in opponent 3-pointers made (10.9)
- Second for opponent points allowed (104.6)
- Fourth in second-chance points (14.4)
- Fifth for points scored in the paint (50.9)
One oddity is while the Lakers aren’t among the rebounding leaders they find a way to keep their opponents off the glass anyway. This may be more of a factor of the Lakers’ consistency in scoring or blocking out.
The Lakers rank eighth overall but 19th on the offensive boards. The issue is the Thunder don’t perform well on the offensive boards either ranking 29th.
The Lakers also allow teams to score in the paint with the 24th for opponent points scored in the paint (48.9).
If the Thunder can find a way to crash the glass and get to the paint this may be their best bet at keeping the game close.