Here is what you need to know before the Lakers return home for a rematch with Oklahoma City.
1)
The Lakers are coming off their biggest comeback of the year, as they rallied from 21 points down to beat Denver on Tuesday, 111-107. Kobe Bryant led the way by tying his season-high with 31 points in just three quarters.
2)
That kind of comeback was completely absent when the Lakers last faced the Thunder on Saturday. Sans Bryant (sore shoulder), Oklahoma City handed Los Angeles its sixth-worst loss in franchise history, 118-78, while the Lakers’ defense allowed season-highs in opponent field goal percentage (54.8) and 3-point percentage (47.4).
3)
That victory was nothing new for the Thunder, who have won eight of their last nine games. Defense has been key during that span, in which the Northwest Division leaders rank first in opponent field goal percentage (41.3) and second in points allowed (92.9).
4)
Oklahoma City also held the Lakers to their fewest rebounds of the year on Saturday (32), which is exactly what it aims to do. The Thunder haul in the league’s second-most boards (47.8) and outrebound opponents by a league-best 7.7 per game.
5)
In spite of ranking near the top of the NBA in several categories, the Thunder’s calling card is scoring, as they put up the league’s second-most points (107.4). Unsurprisingly, this stems from having the third- and sixth-highest scorers in the game: Kevin Durant (26.8 ppg) and Russell Westbrook (25.4).
6)
Westbrook was last season’s scoring champion, but he is also one of basketball’s best all-around players. He tops the league in steals (2.36) and ranks second in assists (9.4), while leading all guards in rebounds (6.8).
7)
A four-time scoring champion himself, Durant has been one of the league’s top go-to weapons, shooting a league-best 52.2 percent in isolation situations. The 27-year-old has clearly earned the respect of Bryant, who recently named him one of the top five players he’s ever faced.
8)
By many measures, Serge Ibaka is the best two-way power forward in the league. He provides the NBA’s best rim protection (38.5 opponent percentage), and ranks second in scoring as the pick-and-roll big (4.8 ppg).
9)
Steven Adams may be one of just four New Zealand-born players in league history, but he is still fighting to be the top athlete in his own family. His sister, Valeria, won gold in the shot put event at both the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, while also claiming four World Championships.
10)
Thunder head coach Billy Donovan brings a wealth of collegiate success to the NBA. He led Florida to back-to-back national championships (2006, ’07), four Final Four appearances and six SEC titles in 19 years.