Lakers Overwhelmed in Game 3, Lose by 23 as Reaves and LeBron Both Struggle

Well, at least they didn't lose by 18. 

Instead, after a strong first half the Lakers were again overwhelmed in the second, and lost Game 3 to the visiting Thunder, 131-108. This time, it was the team's stars that simply couldn't get it going. Both Austin Reaves and LeBron James struggled -- Austin was 5-13 from the floor, and LeBron was 7-19, and while they had 17 assists between them, they also combined for eight turnovers. Put simply, the Lakers have very little chance of winning when only one of those guys is off. That percentage drops to zero when both of them struggle. 

For Reaves, the problems realy came in the third quarter, when the assists he'd piled up in the first two quarters (eight overall, with only one TO) became a string of turnovers. The Lakers, who were hot from the floor in the first half, went very cold. 

The third quarter became a parade of turnovers, and that was basically that. A two point lead at the half became an 11-point deficit going into the fourth. 

The Lakers have done an admirable job competing in a series they have no realistic chance of winning. Saturday feltlike the first time they genuinely folded (not quit) against OKC's relentless pressure. Credit the Thunder for never letting off the gas. Teams will occasionally let the foot off the pedal up a couple games in a series they're controlling. OKC doesn't do that. Nor do they get any drop off when the subs come in. 

We'll see what happens Monday in Game 4, but unless they can raise their level or OKC lets off the gas, things may not get back to OKC. 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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