The defending NBA Champion Oklahoma City Thunder will face the Los Angeles Lakers in the conference semifinals. We have the San Antonio Spurs battling the Minnesota Timberwolves in the other conference semifinal. The Oklahoma City Thunder swept the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the playoffs. The Lakers took down the Houston Rockets in six games. Oklahoma City is clicking on all cylinders, and they are the favorites to reach the NBA Finals. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the favorite to take home his second consecutive NBA MVP award. The Los Angeles Lakers enter this series as a major underdog. The absence of Luka Doncic is a huge reason for being such an underdog. Doncic has already been ruled out of Game 1 against Oklahoma City. Does the Lakers have a shot against the Thunder? Can Oklahoma City take advantage of the absence of Luka Doncic?
Oklahoma City Thunder
Oklahoma City took care of the Phoenix Suns easily in the first round. They had nine players to average at least five points per game. The Thunder went through one tough stretch this season, but was plagued by injuries. Jalen Williams only played two games in the first round and has been ruled out of Game 1. Jalen Williams is the second leading scorer on the team, but others have stepped up. The defense of Oklahoma City is one of the stingiest in the league. The defense often turns into points on the offensive end. Oklahoma City will have multiple people to throw at LeBron James and Austin Reaves. Can the Oklahoma City Thunder take down the Los Angeles Lakers and advance to their second consecutive conference finals?
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers have had moments where their potential was through the roof. They finished the season as the fourth seed in the Western Conference. Austin Reaves only played two games in the first round of the playoffs. The uncertainty of Luka Doncic will be hanging over the franchise entering this series. LeBron James can’t do it all at this stage of his career. DeAndre Ayton and Jaxson Hayes will need to play the games of their lives in this series. Luke Kennard will need to continue to knock down shots throughout this series. Marcus Smart and his defense will be vital in this series. Los Angeles will need everything to go right for them to win this series. Does LeBron James have one more miracle up his sleeve in this series?
Who Wins the Series and In How Many Games?
As mentioned, the Oklahoma City Thunder are huge favorites heading into this series. The Thunder are the favorites to win back-to-back championships. The only issue they have is the absence of Jalen Williams and the uncertainty of his return. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been playing lights out with and without Williams. The supporting cast of Oklahoma City continues to find someone else to shine. For the Lakers, they will need a healthy Luka to compete, but there’s no timetable for his return. Austin Reaves must also remain healthy. Oklahoma City is on another level, and it will take a lot to take them down in a seven-game series. Do the Lakers have an outside shot at defeating the Thunder in four out of seven games? I’m not convinced and think they could win one or maybe two games. I’m riding with the Thunder to win the series in six games at the most.
