Game 25: 02/08/21 Thunder at Lakers GAME THREAD

[KobeMVP888]

(10-12) THUNDER AT LAKERS (18-6)

Monday, February 8, 2021, 7:00 PM PDT
Staples Center • Los Angeles, CA

Referees: Kane Fitzgerald (#5), Scott Wall (#31) , Matt Myers (#43)

Replay Center: Pat Fraher, Mark Lindsay, Phenizee Ransom

Line: Lakers -10
O/U: 216.5

National TV: NBA League Pass only
Local TV: Spectrum SportsNet



GAME PREVIEW: THUNDER AT LAKERS

by Christian Rivas, @RadRivas, silverscreenandroll.com

Heavy minutes were played when the Los Angeles Lakers took on the Detroit Pistons on Saturday night, and no, that wasn’t a typo. For the second time this season, the Pistons, who currently hold the worst record in the NBA, gave the Lakers problems. However, this time the Lakers were able to come out on top.

Did they need two extra quarters of basketball to do it? Sure, but who’s counting? The Lakers, hopefully.

On Saturday, the Lakers had four players that logged more than 40 minutes: LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Dennis Schröder. No other Laker crossed the 30-minute mark.

For that reason, expect to see a few new faces in the rotation when the Lakers host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday. Both Wesley Matthews and Markieff Morris have been healthy scratches in each of the Lakers’ last four games, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see them get some run against the Thunder. It also wouldn’t be surprising to see LeBron James and Anthony Davis get some rest.

For all of the talk about how the Lakers’ revamped bench would lighten the load for James after his year-long championship run, James has averaged just 0.4 minutes less per game than he averaged in the regular season last season and appeared in all 24 games. His durability might be the difference between him and the other MVP candidates when the season is over, but he does need to get a break at some point, right?

Additionally, the Lakers announced on Sunday that Davis is dealing with Achilles tendinosis. If there was ever a night for both James and Davis to take a breather, it would be Monday.

https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/202 ... rt-lineups

[KobeMVP888]

https://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/s ... les-injury

AD out tonight. Dude was smart to ink a max deal. We were lucky that his health was "excellent" last season, albeit that right shoulder was seemingly banged up for quite awhile. Watching him play, perhaps this is a good opportunity to give him a 2 week rest. It will help Kuz and Markieff anyway and so what if we drop a couple of scrimmages. Hell, let both him and LeBron rest a few games and let's see what we can do!

[lakerevolution]

Down to the WIIIIIRE

[lakerevolution]

Damnit Schroeder hit them BOTH!!

[lakerevolution]

UGGHHH -- Schroeder redeems himself with the block but then KCP fouls SG-A outside the three-point line???

[lakerevolution]

Another overtime game. We're trash from downtown tonight (Kuzma is 1-9, LeBron is 2-9, Schroeder is 1-7).
Maybe we can get a few to fall in OT.

[3Peatkb24]

https://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/story/2021-02-08/anthony-davis-to-miss-lakers-game-vs-thunder-because-of-achilles-injury

AD out tonight. Dude was smart to ink a max deal. We were lucky that his health was "excellent" last season, albeit that right shoulder was seemingly banged up for quite awhile. Watching him play, perhaps this is a good opportunity to give him a 2 week rest. It will help Kuz and Markieff anyway and so what if we drop a couple of scrimmages. Hell, let both him and LeBron rest a few games and let's see what we can do!

It does seem like every season he has knick knack injuries a lot through the season. You are right we got lucky last season as he stayed pretty healthy. I would rest him for at least a week because many of these games are meaningless. I still want to win don't get me wrong but getting him healthy early in the season is more important.

Regarding the game, another nice OT win. LeBron 28 Points, 12 Assists, 14 Rebounds. We are 19-6 so far which is great, I will take it. We still should've never let Dwight walk though, his defense is priceless. Gasol has turned into Roy Hibbert over night. Hibbert was solid 2012-2014 than he turned into a stiff! Gasol scored 2 points in 19 minutes = OUCH!

[KobeMVP888]

Actually, I thought Gasol played well last night and he appears to be getting into the flow of the offense more and is still a solid post up defender. He just doesn't protect the rim and his long ball appears to have abandoned him. Yes, I think Dwight would have thrived with a full center as our starting center with Trezz backing him up, but it is what it is. It wouldn't shock me if the Lakers stand pat and make no roster changes from here on out. They should have enough to repeat. It will certainly be curious to see if the Nets can come out of the East, although it sure looks like Philly right now. There's a long way to go.