:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66809734/7140A85F_C83A_4CC0_B076_40E3627EF02F.0.jpeg)
Editor’s note: As we wait for real NBA basketball to return, we’re going to simulate the rest of the games that the Los Angeles Lakers have on their schedule on NBA 2K20.
The Los Angeles Lakers won’t be getting their brooms out in Oklahoma City, as the Thunder upset them in Game 3 of the Western Conference Semifinals. The Lakers still lead the series 2-1 despite getting blown out 128-107 on Sunday.
LeBron James and Anthony Davis were as dominant as they’ve been all series combining for 60 points on 22-40 shooting from the field. Davis actually had one of his better defensive games of the series, grabbing 18 rebounds and swatting away five blocks.
However, the Lakers’s supporting cast wasn’t as in sync as they usually are. For example, in 31 minutes of playing time on Sunday, Green shot 2-7 from the field, including 1-4 from 3-point territory. The 3-ball has been a strength of the Lakers’ this series, but it wasn’t on Sunday, and they paid because of it.
Additionally, Davis’ backup forwards struggled whenever he was off of the floor. Kyle Kuzma and Markieff Morris shot a combined 1-8 from the field. Morris made the only field goal between the both of them, and it took him six tries. Outside of the Lakers’ stars, the shots just weren’t falling — the same couldn’t be said for Oklahoma City.
In just 23 minutes of play, Dennis Schroder scored a ridiculous 37 points on an efficient 13-16 shooting from the field. He also contributed 6 assists and 4 rebounds. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was also productive, scoring 30 points.
As helpful as Rajon Rondo has been offensively in this series, he was exposed on the defensive end on Sunday, and that trend promises to continue as Scott Brooks gets more film on him. If the Lakers are going to survive the Thunder’s three-headed-guard monster, they’re going to need to bring Alex Caruso off the bench. Caruso has played just four minutes in the postseason, and they’ve all been garbage time minutes.
The Lakers will try and make adjustments to try and avoid going to a Game 6 somewhere down the line. The Thunder beat the Utah Jazz in seven games last round — let’s hope the Lakers can finish this series in five games.
For more Lakers talk, subscribe to the Silver Screen and Roll podcast feed on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or Google Podcasts. You can follow this author on Twitter at @RadRivas.