Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Get App
Lakers Nation
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • Lakers 2025 Preseason Schedule
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App

Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Get App
Lakers Nation
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • Lakers 2025 Preseason Schedule
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App
Search
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • 2024 preseason
    • 2024-2025 regular season
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App
Follow US
© 2024 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Lakers Nation > Blog > Featured > Recap: Poor Shooting Plagues Lakers In Loss To Thunder
FeaturedGameday

Recap: Poor Shooting Plagues Lakers In Loss To Thunder

Ron Gutterman
Published: 08/05/2020
5 Min Read
Alex Caruso, Anthony Davis
Kevin C. Cox-Pool Photo via USA TODAY Sports
SHARE

The Los Angeles Lakers again were saddled by poor shooting from deep and it amounted to a 105-86 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on the first night of back-to-back.

The Lakers’ habit of slow starts in the bubble continued against the Thunder, but great defense managed to keep them in it. Five minutes into the first quarter, L.A. managed just seven points to OKC’s 10.

The starting lineup of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Danny Green, LeBron James, Anthony Davis and JaVale McGee has struggled mightily in the bubble to get points early on. The initial substitutions remained the same as usual, with Kyle Kuzma and Alex Caruso replacing James and McGee, coming at the six minute mark with the Thunder leading 13-10.

Dion Waiters later came in for Green, who continued his 3-point struggles by starting 0-for-4. With just under three minutes left in the first, the Thunder led 20-14.

Markieff Morris saw rare first-quarter minutes with Dwight Howard out, but it didn’t help the Lakers’ abysmal offense, as they trailed 26-18. L.A. shot 28.6% from the field and were just 1-of-12 behind the arc.

The second quarter began with a lineup of JR Smith, Waiters, Morris, Kuzma and James. The poor scoring from the first continued. The Thunder capitalized and extended their lead to 34-21. However, four quick points brought the Lakers within nine, leading to a Thunder timeout with 8:10 remaining in the half.

While the energy picked up with a new lineup featuring Caruso, Davis, Caldwell-Pope, Green and James, the shotmaking was still lacking for a majority of the second quarter.

Scoring did pick up on both sides over the final minutes, with the Thunder getting several foul calls to help maintain their slight lead. L.A. trailed 52-45 at the half, shooting 34.9% from the field and 16.7% from deep. Nine Thunder turnovers allowed the Lakers to stay within single digits.

Early in the second half, Caldwell-Pope had to leave the game after taking a hit to the ribs from Chris Paul while both went for a loose ball. Quinn Cook took his place for his first appearance of the game.

Both teams began the half on a sluggish note — with the exception of Paul and Steven Adams — giving the Thunder a chance to extend their lead to 15 points halfway through the quarter. With 5:23 to go in the third, the Thunder held a comfortable 67-52 lead.

Things only got worse for the Lakers as 3-point shooting and foul trouble plagued their third quarter. Davis was forced to exit the game with five fouls, and Thunder again took advantage, this time breaking the game wide open with a 20-point advantage.

However, fortunes turned slightly with some aggressive play from James down the stretch. Going into the fourth quarter, L.A. had their work cut out for them as they trailed 81-66.

James, Morris, Caruso, Waiters and Kuzma began the fourth quarter, where a 5-0 run cut the deficit to 10 before an Adams three-point play killed their momentum. Adams was able to overpower Morris, causing McGee to check back into the game with the Lakers down 17.

The Thunder were in the bonus by the nine-minute mark, allowing them to further build on their already large lead. Waiters got his offense going during the fourth quarter, which at times kept the Lakers somewhat competitive in what otherwise was a blowout loss.

Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in live shows, and more!

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
TAGGED:Los Angeles LakersOklahoma City Thunder
ByRon Gutterman
Ron Gutterman is a Washington State University alum from Anaheim, California, and is currently a Staff Writer for LakersNation.com, RamsNewsWire.com, and RaidersNewsWire.com. He is also the lead editor for AngelsNation.com. With Lakers Nation, Rams News Wire, Raiders News Wire, and Angels Nation, Ron assists in news, game coverage, analysis, and hot takes via his Twitter account, @rongutterman24. Without a doubt, Ron's favorite Laker, and favorite athlete of all time, is Kobe Bryant. Ron began watching basketball when he was 6 years old, in 2005, when Bryant was dragging the likes of Smush Parker and Ronny Turiaf to playoff spots. Ron's all time favorite Lakers moment was Bryant's final game when he dropped 60 points. While the Lakers beating the Celtics in Game 7 of the NBA Finals, as Metta World Peace hit the game clinching three, will always be a top option, Bryant's final night takes the cake. Contact: ron@mediumlargela.com
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Get breaking Lakers News direct to your inbox.

Categories

  • News
  • Rumors
  • Games
  • History

Information

  • Advertise
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get breaking Lakers News direct to your inbox.

© 2025 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?