featured-image

Postgame Numbers: Lakers vs. Thunder (12/19/14)

Here is a by-the-numbers look at the Lakers’ 104-103 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

2
Seconds left when Kobe Bryant launched a potentially game-winning, 17-foot jumper that bounced off the rim. It was a tough night overall for Bryant, who did not score until the second quarter and had just one basket at halftime. The Lakers captain finished the game just 3-for-15 and missed all four of his uncontested shots.

“It was the shot I wanted to get,” Bryant said, reflecting on the buzzer-beater. “I was trying to figure out if I had time to draw contact. It just threw me off a little bit. … I got a clean look.”

4
First-quarter 3-pointers for Ronnie Price. The 10-year veteran tied his single-game career-high for made 3’s in just eight minutes. He also led the Lakers with 14 points in the opening quarter, which were four away from his career-high. However, from there Price was an offensive non-factor, as he took just one more shot, which he missed.

6
Lakers who reached double figures. Ed Davis led the way with a season-high 18 points, while Price, Carlos Boozer (14), Jeremy Lin (12), Nick Young (10) and Jordan Hill (10) all reached the 10-point mark. Davis nearly recorded his first double-double of the year, finishing with nine rebounds, while hitting eight of his 10 attempts from the field.

31
Points scored by Russell Westbrook. With reigning MVP Kevin Durant out due to a mild right ankle sprain, Westbrook exploded for 31 points and 10 assists. The UCLA product went 9-for-22 from the field, but the Lakers made him work for those baskets, as they contested all but one shot. However, Westbrook torched L.A. at the foul line, where he made all 13 of his free throw attempts.

Russell Westbrook Shot Chart
Russell Westbrook Shot Chart

“His athleticism and his speed got us,” Lin said. “But not only that: (Oklahoma City) runs a lot of misdirection for him and gets him in his comfortable shots. They are always trying to keep you on your toes. They are very strategic.”

36
Seconds into the fourth quarter when Nick Young was ejected. Young, who finished 4-for-8 from the field, was dealt a flagrant 2 after an altercation in which he shoved Steven Adams in the neck.

“I just looked at (the replay) again,” head coach Byron Scott said. “That’s how Adams is. He’s gonna grab and hold and do thing to try and irritate you. Nick definitely overreacted, and he’s too valuable for us to overreact and get kicked out of the game like that. “