First-Round Fever: Game 4

APRIL 24| SAT |ROUND 1, GAME 4 | (1) Lakers vs. (8) Thunder: LAL Lead Series 2-1

Oklahoma City, thanks to their crowd, responded in a critical home game for them. Now its the Lakers’ turn.

Follow: TwitterCast: @LakersNation |Watch On: KCal 9 & ESPN @ 6:30 PT/9:30 ET | Radio: 710AM ESPN, 1330AM ESPN Deportes

Here are the keys for the Lakers to pull out a win.

KEYS FOR THE GAME:

Controlling the Tempo

The Lakers will look to get more open-floor points to gain a cushion on the Thunder. In Game 2, they only scored 6 fastbreak points. However, Oklahoma didn’t much of a better job, only +5 in that area.

L.A. should be able to control the game, as they did in Game 1. Using the halfcourt to their advantage and limiting the Thunder’s opportunities to get going offensively.

Twin Tower Dominance

As said before, the Twin Towers are the key for the Lakers in this series. Bryant doesn’t have to look dominate. Oklahoma may be a young and athletic team, but essentially, their frontcourt is too small to compete successfully against the two 7-footers. Pau & Drew will need dominate on defense if shots aren’t falling for them.

Silencing the Thunder

The Ford Center will be roaring tonight, for this will be their first home game in the postseason since the franchise moved to Oklahoma City. The Lakers will have to keep the crowd out of the game in order to establish their dominance over the young–but– tough team. Their continual pressure defensively is great way to keep this team cold as Artest’s “No Buckets” motto has been very visible.

Offense Efficiency

Lamar Odom

PROJECTED STARTERS:

LAKERS:

(C) A. Bynum

(PF) P. Gasol

(SF) R. Artest

(SG) K. Bryant

(PG) D. Fisher

X-Factor: Lamar Odom and bench play.

THUNDER:

(C) N. Kristic

(PF) J. Green

(SF) K. Durant

(SG) S. Sefolosha

(PG) R. Westbrook

X-Factor: Russell Westrbook

You May Also Like

Lakers Injury Update: Brandon Ingram Out, Kyle Kuzma Questionable For Game Vs. Heat

Even though the Los Angeles Lakers have been much improved since the All-Star break, the team is beginning to…

Lakers News: L.A. To Hire Antawn Jamison For Scouting Position

With the regular season just a couple of weeks away, the Los Angeles Lakers’ roster is complete…

Courtside Fan Wears Customized Paul George Lakers Jersey To Game Against Thunder

With Paul George and the Oklahoma City Thunder in town to play the Los Angeles Lakers for the Southern California…

PHOTOS: Metta World Peace Unveils New Panda Shoe

[new_royalslider id=”166″] During his time with the Los Angeles Lakers, Metta World…