Magic Johnson outlines the challenges the Lakers face against the Thunder in the Western Conference semifinals. He emphasizes the need for improved ball control and scoring support for LeBron James and Austin Reaves to secure an upset.
The odds are not in favor Los Angeles Lakers defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference semifinals.
The Thunder are the reigning NBA champions, have defending NBA Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on the roster and went 4-0 against the Lakers in the regular season. Meanwhile, the Lakers are missing superstar Luka Doncic and nearly blew a 3-0 series lead in the first round against the Houston Rockets.
NBA legend Magic Johnson, who won five NBA championships with Los Angeles, explained how the Lakers can pull off an upset over the Thunder.
âMy Lakers have an uphill battle going against the reigning World Champions OKC and SGA, who in my mind was the MVP of the First Round of the Playoffs! To beat OKC, we have to find a way to not turn the ball over as much as we did against the Rockets and play great on both ends of the floor â so whoâs going to step up and provide scoring to help LeBron and Austin? One thing we all know is OKC can score the basketball, so the Lakers are going to have to play some of their best basketball!â Johnson wrote on X on Monday.
The Lakers are up against the defending champion Thunder, who have a strong roster including MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and a perfect 4-0 record against the Lakers this season.
Magic Johnson suggests that the Lakers must minimize turnovers and enhance their scoring to support LeBron James and Austin Reaves in order to beat the Thunder.
The Lakers are missing superstar Luka Doncic, which adds to their challenges in the series against the Thunder.
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Mar 5, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; ESPN Analysts, Magic Johnson and Stephen A. Smith talk before the game between the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena. The Lakers won 124-116. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
Johnson highlighted strong defense and protecting the ball as two key things the Lakers need to focus on in the second-round series that begins on Tuesday.
Against the Rockets in the first round, the Lakers averaged 17.7 turnovers per game. This was also a problem during all four regular season matchups against the Thunder, as the Lakers averaged 17.5 turnovers per game against Oklahoma City.
âTheyâre really good at runs. Part of that is how good their defense is. Their ability to create turnovers, their live-ball turnovers, really kill you. They donât get out in transition at times, but when they do, theyâre the best in the NBA,â Lakers coach JJ Redick said of the Thunder on Monday, per ESPNâs Dave McMenamin.
Figuring out a way to limit turnovers l will be crucial for the Lakers to overcome the defending NBA champions in the Western Conference semifinals.
Photo Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
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