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Lakers vs. Thunder: 10 Things to Know (3/1/15)

Here is what you need to know before the Lakers face the Oklahoma City Thunder.

1)
The Lakers are looking to win four straight games for the first time since April 2013. L.A. has been able to effectively close out games during its current streak, as its last three opponents have been outscored 79-45 in the final quarter.

2)
The Lakers have fared much better when they win the turnover battle, as 13 of their 16 wins have come when committing as many or fewer giveaways. L.A. is just 3-21 when turning the ball over more, but two of those victories have come during its current streak.

3)
Last time these two teams met, Oklahoma City escaped Los Angeles with a 104-103 win after Kobe Byant’s go-ahead shot was off the mark with two seconds left. The Thunder benefitted from taking care of the ball, as they surrendered a season-low seven turnovers against L.A. on Dec. 19.

4)
Oklahoma City is as battered as any team in the league, with Russell Westbrook (facial surgery), Kevin Durant (foot soreness), Steven Adams (right hand, fourth metacarpal fracture) and Steve Novak (appendectomy) all out for Sunday’s tilt. Meanwhile, Enes Kanter’s status is uncertain after missing the Thunder’s last game due to a right thigh contusion.

5)
Westbrook’s injury is especially deflating, as he is currently on one of the greatest three-game stretches in recent history. Westbrook — who averaged 31.2 points, 9.1 rebounds and 10.3 assists in February — has logged a triple-double in each of his last three contests, and is seeking to become the first player with four in a row since Michael Jordan had seven straight in March-April 1989.

6)
Despite Westbrook’s obviously world-class talent, few players have tormented the Lakers like Durant has. The reigning NBA MVP did not play against L.A. earlier this season, but he is averaging 33.8 points in his last nine games against the Lakers, six of which have been Thunder victories.

7)
With Westbrook and Durant both out, Serge Ibaka will likely take on a larger offensive role. On the other side of the ball, Ibaka has dominated defensively. The Republic of the Congo native ranks second in the NBA in both blocks (2.7) and opponent shooting at the rim (41.1 percent). Oklahoma City’s foes are taking the third-most shots at the rim against Ibaka (9.3), but they are averaging only the the 18th-most baskets there (3.8).

8)
Oklahoma City has dominated the glass this season with a league-high 47.4 rebounds per game. Led by Ibaka (7.8) and Adams (7.0), the Thunder have outrebounded opponents by 4.2 boards per game this season, which trails only Sacramento.

9)
Though Oklahoma City’s offense deservedly gets a lot of attention, its defense has arguably been even better. Despite missing a combined 153 games due to injury this season, the Thunder defense has stood strong, holding opponents to the second-worst field goal percentage in the league (42.8). Oklahoma City has also been tremendous in specific areas, limiting their foes to the lowest shooting percentage in transition (49.2), at the rim (48.4) and on isolation plays (34.0), while ranking second on cuts to the basket (56.8) and putbacks (49.3).

10)
The Thunder are looking to find their groove again after dropping two straight following their seven-game winning streak. Oklahoma City had been shooting 47.0 percent — the league’s third-highest mark — during its run, but that has whittled down to 43.1 percent in its following pair of games, which hovers around the league average.

Thunder Shot Chart (Seven-Game Winning Streak)
Thunder Shot Chart (Seven-Game Winning Streak)