The Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers faced off in Game 4 of their Western Conference playoff series. The Thunder are one win away from returning to the Western Conference finals, after moving to Oklahoma City from Seattle, the Thunder have been to the Western Conference finals five times.
Thunder’s Dominant Performance
Oklahoma City winning its first seven games of its playoff run is impressive. The margin of victory reflects another stratosphere of dominance that the Thunder has displayed. Los Angeles has yet to come within 18 points of the Thunder, and the Lakers held halftime leads in two of the games.
Here are the margins of victory in each of the Thunder’s victories:
The Thunder had one of the best regular-season shooting performances in the NBA. They have torched the Lakers outside the paint.
Key Players and Their Impact
Chet Holmgren is leading the Thunder in points and field goals in the semifinals against the Lakers, shooting 59.5 percent from the field.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hasn’t been his typical MVP self in the second round, but his dip in production has hardly hindered the powerhouse Thunder. His efficiency and production have lagged. Let’s see what Gilgeous-Alexander will bring with a second-straight sweep on the table.
Lakers’ Struggles and Turnovers
The Lakers have a slim margin for error against the top-seeded Thunder, and turnovers are an excess they cannot afford. Los Angeles has lost the turnover battle in all three games. The Lakers’ propensity for turnovers has been a major reason why they have been unsuccessful in holding onto second-half leads in this series. Cutting down the turnover numbers should be a top priority for a must-win Game 4.
Alex Caruso’s Efficiency
Alex Caruso has the highest net rating of any player who has averaged more than 20 minutes per game in the second round, at 34.1. Oklahoma City players also rank second and third, with Caruso followed by Cason Wallace (27.3) and Ajay Mitchell (26.9). While Caruso is known as a defensive stalwart, his offensive efficiency is what has raised his standing. He ranks fourth in offensive rating among players who have averaged more than 20 minutes per game in the second round.
LeBron James has been swept only three times in his NBA career.