Nba HD Full Game Thunder at Lakers 12/13

right play if he's left in one-on-one coverage he's got to make a quick decision and his shot attempts will go up the main thing is Mike he can't take five or six unmakeable shots it's just like turnover well he spread the wealth well and everybody seemed to contribute again which was such a desperately needed victory for the Lakers but for them to make it two and throw it's not going to be an easy test the Thunder not only the best record in the NBA best road team and maybe the best player right now with all due respect to LeBron James and a few other candidates Kevin Durant is playing just at an incredible level well you just look at his shooting percentages they're off the charts but what has impressed me is his continued growth as a passive he continues to make more and more right decisions more and more right plays and when he does that you become unguardable because you can beat a team with both the great shooting ability that he has plus with the great passing ability he's developing and they come in with a record of 34-10 let's take a look at our Taco Bell starting lineups for this afternoon and first for the Thunder finishing up a six-game road trip Westbrook gonzabo sepulosha who guard Kobe Bryant with Durant Serge Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins who of course will be on Dwight Howard and for the Lakers Nash and Bryant Meadow World Peace Earl Clark starting at the pow at the small account board he would be considered the power for he's gonna guard and Dwight Howard with Bob assault now at least temporarily and trenched okay welcome to NBA Sunday showcase it's the Oklahoma City Thunder taking off the Los Angeles Lakers the sellout crowd at the Staples Center and as we look at the Western Conference standings the Thunder will the best record in the NBA as you see right above the San Antonio Spurs and the Lakers now at the 10th spot four and a half out of that final playoff spot for the Lakers the Dallas Mavericks and other teams battling to try and make sure they're part of the postseason party but a long way to go for the Lakers Kobe Bryant the Lakers had a rare feel good night on Friday night defeating the Utah Jazz in one of their better team efforts of the season and Brian at the 14 assists one shy of his career high tying his season high can they make it two in a row that will not be an easy task because the Thunder playing as well as anybody in the league led by Kevin Durant who has been magnificent this season so many career-high numbers and right now currently leading the NBA and scoring at 29 and a half per game hello everyone along with Jeff Van Gundy and Lisa Salters Mike Green on hand as Russell Westbrook returns to his hometown and getting ready to play and Jeff question is which Laker team shall we see it is thankless to say the understatement a difficult season but Friday night it all came together they seemed like they actually enjoyed playing with each other well they were engaged from the outset they shared the ball exceptionally well starting with Kobe Bryant who had 14 assists and only took 10 shots the big men got involved thus they played harder defensively it was a good night for the Lakers the Lakers though still with seven games under 500. [Music] as they'll play the Thunder for the third time this season Oklahoma City winning the previous two matchups once here and once in Oklahoma City and some interesting matchups Cabo Sefolosha one of the better perimeter Defenders guarding Kobe Bryant is that a world peace open hits the three and he had five threes against Utah the other night they need somebody to step up and make shots when their best players draw the second Defender Russell Westbrook their second best player has it stripped and stolen by Kobe Bryant Lakers 13-10 here at the Staples Center meanwhile the thunder 15-7 on the road that's right now the best road winning percentage in the NBA Howard and Perkins the good matchup Ryan on the drive looking fine zero Clark cutting Clark blocked by ipaca Serge Ibaka second in the NBA in rejections he has a 24-second violation call against the Lakers normally Larry Sanders of Milwaukee averages more blocks per game [Music] and here's Westbrook Westbrook names of the All-Star team he has been Sensational as well Westbrook and Durant just playing at such high levels for Scotty Brooks and the Thunder Clark called for a foul on a reach-in that's going to be the first Don Clark the starter August all now coming off the bench trying to balance their team better it's hard to incorporate four primary scorers to start the game Earl Clark brings them something they hadn't had which is some energy and effort Durant wide open nothing used to be in that open this fires on the three he's been shooting so well from three-point range this season it'll be interesting to see how Kobe Bryant plays after the game on Friday night and he throws it away looking to pass first Westbrook drives right at Nash and draws the foul you know Nash picks up his first and Russell Westbrook to the line Mike as a scorer like Brian you can't pre-determine how you're going to play you have to read the defense if you're if you're double teamed you make the right play if they give you single coverage as the ball moves to you then you attack the score if you try to predetermine it leads to turnovers like that I thought he should have been on the attack right there on that last possession [Music] but he's also it was a conscious effort not necessarily for him to pass but to get his teammates involved especially Dwight Howard early and that's good because listen Pau Gasol and Dwight Howard have been in a funk all season and he's trying to jumpstart him because he knows that without them playing at a high level they have no chance Howard grabs the rebound under a couple of second shot opportunities but can't convert matter World Peace can't connect Perkins the rebound see to me that's a bad shot a contested three early in the clock is not what they need they need to continue to try to exploit the Thunder and get open three-pointers so folosha got good size at 6-7 hits quick feet another deflection and another turnover for Bryant as Durant runs right that world peace took a little shot good no call there and he knocks down the shot well good strength by Durant because that was excellent defense by World Peace and Brian's gonna have to account for cephalosa's link when he's trying to make those passes Brian shot locked Ibaka with his second rejection a four on one if they hurry Westbrook back to Durant for the easy dunk turnovers and the black shots from Ibaka made it difficult for the Lakers offensively one for four and three turnovers World Peace against Durant [Music] I'm not liking these possessions though Howard fouled on the pass that shot will not count Perkins call for the foul that's his first well as Bryant turns the coroner a blocka comes over Serge Ibaka we get it we get it tonight's the fast break I mean the guy is a premiere and there's a premier dunker as white Howard throws it down for his first points and again you should not get beat off the dribble by him because you should be sagging so he he has to shoot the jump shot bark reflects it out of bounds still Thunderball just over three minutes gone by here in the first Ibaka under this two of seven to start from the field and the highest scoring team in the NBA in the third best field goal percentage Brian good move to the master and because Howard ran the floor and ducked in hard his man couldn't get off of his body and come to try to block that shot salosha is fouled uh the scramble a little Serendipity there for the Thunder well as Bryant turns the corner Perkins is locked up with Howard because Howard's ducking in which allows Bryant the easy bucket love that camera angle Mike it's always been one of your favorites so folosha hits the free throw I forget the name of this thing but I think it's called imovits or something like that something like that that's who's just told in your ear I just love that ocean one of two Ryan another turnover a little piece able to get it throws up a quick shot power of the rebound knocked out of bounds still like the ball well it's obvious Kobe Bryant is looking to pass again early he is and what they need is some cutting into the lane because the Thunder are expanding their defense Ryan who's grabbing a hold of cephalocious jersey and then gets free single coverage here good high percentage shot they're unable to get it to go the back of the rebound Earl Clark on Durant tough assignment for anyone especially a Clark although Clark's a pretty good Defender Westbrook offensive rebound Parker showed his defensive abilities in Orlando playing for the magic before coming over in the Dwight Howard trade he's got good feet and good length Ibaka Westbrook another offensive rebound for Oklahoma City you see it game after game guards as a block of finishes off a nice dish by Westbrook they're not used to blocking out a point guard they turn they follow the ball and Westbrook chases down the long rebound you've got to get a body on him Westbrook averages 5.3 boards a game and that's a nice play with the left-handed dish Westbrook with his second assist he has been I don't want to say overshadowed by Kevin Durant his great numbers look at what Westbrook has been doing and lane violation called or is it yeah plane violation call against Kendrick Perkins who's displeased with the call when you lead the league in free-throw shooting at 84 percent you should never violate the ball is going to go in again the players along the lane they have to wait to the free throw shooter releases the ball the actual Shooters can't go until it hits the rim Clark wide open for three and showing a little bit of an offensive ability getting a real opportunity finally getting consistent minutes Lakers back up by two and that will make Dwight Howard a lot more efficient on the rolls to the rim when their four-man can spread the floor and Bryant made a nice simple play Bryant down to Howard Howard got hacked gets knocked down and he'll get to the line well as Howard hands it off and rolls Ibaka comes to the roll man which leaves Earl Clark wide open this is what Howard's used to playing with a guy like Ryan Anderson he had so much space in Orlando and here's the thing Mike they ran the same basic offense as the Lakers are picking and rolling but Howard had more room in the paint because of the shooting that Orlando had on the floor La is not blessed with that same amount of shootings foreign [Music] leaving Earl Clark wide open this is why it's important that whoever plays at that four spot and World Peace make shots Howard goes one for two their best three-point shooter is Steve Nash or a piece of times they were hoping Jody Meeks could could provide some of that but they've not gotten it at any kind of consistent basis but they're not going to come off Nash they're gonna make it be Earl Clark and World Peace Durant got it back can't get a default and park the rebound [Applause] Brian again another entry pass to Howard left-handed hook won't go and Westbrook reads his third rebound already but that's good basketball Westbrook wild shot though you know in transition Howard run and rim to rim and then ducking in there's Nash [Applause] Durant will bring it up this team has missed 10 of their first 13 from the field and again they're the third best shooting team in the league is just under 48 percent they're at a Reach In by Howard and we'll take a timeout as we're just past the Midway Point first quarter here in L.A Lakers sharing the ball again and lead by three [Music] ESPN NBA Wednesday at 8. LeBron James in the Heat in Brooklyn to base Duron Williams in the Nets and a 10-30 suns are against their former star player Steve Nash and the Lakers to win the Phoenix scoring dragons should grow up idolizing Steve Nash played with him now goes against him double header on Wednesday starts with pnba countdown at 7 30 Eastern meanwhile Kobe Bryant looking to be the facilitator early on he has two assists two turnovers the difficulty is when they force the pick and roll to the Baseline the length of cephalosa on these cross-core passes has to be accounted for and on the turnover it leads to a bucket and then the block shot look at the floor balance for the Lakers Four Guys below the free-throw line plus you're slow that's going to turn in to an easy dunk for Kevin Durant one of the reasons the Thunder averaging almost 106 points per game Ryan so far two points two assists out of the Soul Is For the First Time Durant a rare Miss after free throw line he's at 91 second in the league behind his teammate Kevin Martin look at all up and down his numbers career high in this career high and that but it's more than just numbers in terms of his Improvement yeah he improves because he cares deeply so he his defense has improved his rebounding has improved Howard rushed that a bit Perkins good job contesting it great pass by Pal Gasol National misdirection pick and roll got power to deep catch Durant finds Perkins Hendrick Perkins with a floater in the lane [Applause] all tied at 11. the Thunder even right now despite the fact that they're 29 percent from the field to start the song from the outside Earl Clark comes flying in Nash left open Ash has missed two open threes which you don't normally see [Music] [Applause] Durant drives a little out of control and good health defense to length of the Soul absolutely Good Help by Bryant Good Help by Gasol and a rare time Thunder don't get back defensively and the Lakers back up by two foreign [Music] Clark very active [Applause] Westbrook being guarded by Kobe Bryant kickball for the reset the shot clock to 14. Kevin Martin's going to come in now for the Thunder simple and sound Steve Nash middle of the floor fundamental bounce pass good spacing by Earl Clark runs hard and gets rewarded that's just you know if you're a youth coach or a high school coach that's just beautiful to see just the perfect bounce pass between two Defenders yeah he keeps it sound solid simple Collison also in for the Thunder Martin quick Off the Bench first shot in his fires World Pieces come back in Antoine Jameson his first check-in Brian on the pull-up jump shot Lakers by four [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] oh nice back door Ibaka as Lakers got caught on a screen set by Durant yeah Pal Gasol stunned it out to try to help off onto Kevin Durant coming off the pin down but you can't give help until the ball's in the air which led to the easy basket by Ibaka see watch Gasol you can't leave to help until the ball's in the air and Jameson has to be pulling over to help the helper so Gasol is going to give help to World Peace Jameson he's got to give help to Gasol they have to be all tied together you know that has not been the case defensively for this team much of the year he's gotten better at it certainly Friday night we saw a nice feed again the soul to world peace and I like what they're doing at on the side out of bounds making Kevin Martin guard world peace in the post and Gasol is a heck of a passer from up in the elbow area Durant his third field goal the soul has always been him and his brother two of the best passing big man you know this year there are so many big men who can really pass the ball Bryant Gasol Jameson uh proud was ready to explode on that unselfish play unfortunately couldn't get it to go come down the other end and Durant two strong Collison tips to the Westbrook [Music] Westbrook difficult shot and anybody tip it Collison took his hand away Mike theretoni thought he touched it no call yeah Westbrook for the foul must cook upset he's not argue with the fact that he fouled he thought he got found the other one there's always something to argue all time at 17. two and a half remaining here first quarter in L.A ESPN's NBA Sunday showcase on ABC brought to you by Snickers Peanut Butter squared fourth go further BBVA Compass home of banking built for you learn more at bbvacompass.com and the U.S Postal Service schedule your free package pickup today [Music] two of the big Ten's finest square off an assembly hall Trey Berkeley's number two Wolverines against Cody Zeller and the number seven Hoosiers terrific matchup Saturday Prime Time presented by DirecTV Michigan and Indiana at nine on ESPN and also live on watch ESPN and Tom crean the Indiana University coach brother uh brother-in-law to the Harbaugh brothers we'll be flying to New Orleans the next day he hopes for a win you're right on top of this right deflected that's a third turnover by Kobe Bryant Kevin Martin passes behind him did a nice job Gathering and finishing DeAndre Wiggins in the game The Saul Liggins there guarding Kobe Bryant you know Mike this is different how Kobe Bryant's playing though he's not holding the ball as long even in one-on-one coverage he's going to it right away or he's moving it [Music] certainly worked the other night came so much easier sometimes as Martin knocks it down what he says too is Not only would Kobe Bryant facilitates not only does it bring about energy and ball movement but it gets him easier shots and the thing about it Steve Nash I think said it really well he said when he was talking about the Lakers you got to stop worrying about how we've played in the past and worrying about ourselves we've got to try to make the game easier for each other and however you do that whether it's moving the ball quicker it's helping on defense [Music] Westbrook trying to post up Collison comes in Martin launches a three the Lakers have played good half court defense but they've got to start blocking out and getting to the loose ball Steve Nash that's his first field goal and we're tied again already six ties and five lead changes good back and forth here in the opening quarter either team shooting well but defensive no reason for that including the Laker defense [Music] shot clock down to three Alia perfect pass Westbrook to Ibaka really nice find by Russell Westbrook Westbrook's six assists and five rebounds here in this opening period Nash back-to-back buckets and a three-pointer and the Lakers go up by one Brian has the ball in the post Nash relocates to a good passing angle by Bryant Brian hits him right in stride for the wide open three [Applause] [Music] [Applause] looking shot clock winding down again let's put the drive kicks it back out Liggins will not get a shot off in time and a 24-second violation good defense Again by the Lakers [Music] [Music] [Applause] Jameson draws to foul as Ibaka goes up and that's going to be a three-point attempt Ibaka landed awkwardly and he's shaken up Michael with three blocks already tried to get number four and then Jameson did a good job with a little fake and unfortunately Ibaka looked like he landed directly down on it well it's a three-point shot and he did fall hard wow no cushion at all and I don't know if Jameson traveled looked very awkward from both ends and again his body was twisted it was hard for him to get his hand down to cushion the fall a little bit get the right arm down a little bit but landed directly on that right hip foreign [Applause] shaken up I think they're going to bring him back to the locker room that's even a bit of a chore right now for him I'm okay he says it was a quick turnaround good to see him jumping up a little bit as Jamison at the free throw line 1.9 remaining here in the first period let's go you know what I mean Serge Ibaka part of the Thunder's excellent defense this year since he's already in how does it save you time to make him go back out to bring him I mean that's just now come back in the game it's his third time shooting numbers here in the first quarter 45 percent for the Lakers and just 38 for the Thunder Westbrook struggle with it and that will end the first half a strong one for the Lakers trying to build on Friday night trying to get a confidence boosting win against the team with the best record in the NBA and they get a nice Ovation from Brad here at the Staples Center as they end the first quarter on a 6-0 run [Applause] how did that game end [Music] s [Music] welcome to the NBA Sunday showcase for those watching the Celtics in a Bittersweet Victory they win a game but lose an All-Star point guard and welcome you now to a sold out Staples Center an important game of the Western Conference standings the Oklahoma City Thunder here in LA with the best record in the NBA at 34-10 against the Laker team trying desperately to get on the same page and get some consistency currently in the 10th spot on the west four and a half games out of the eighth and final playoff spot and Kobe Bryant the Lakers an impressive first quarter especially defensively as they lead it 27-23 hello everyone along with Jeff Van Gundy Mike Green on and Lisa Salters with us as well very interesting the way things are turning right now for the Lakers they've been struggling all year obviously Friday night they play one of their best team games of the Season Kobe Bryant has more assists than field goal attempts he's kind of taken the same tone so far here this afternoon might be a nice way for them to play Jeff well again he can't predetermine what he's going to do with the ball you have to make sure you just read defense and stay attacking but what he's doing is he's making quicker decisions versus holding it holding it holding it and taking five to six almost unmakeable shots per game he has come out again and even though he has a few turnovers he is playing exceptional basketball getting everybody involved and again looking to pass first meanwhile for the Oklahoma City Thunder they come in as we said best record in the NBA it's going to be tough for the Lakers to get two in a row against a team that's playing at such a level especially Kevin Durant as great as he was last year he is so much better this year Jeff and it's not just the numbers it's just it's his approach it's his the way his demeanor everything about him yeah I just love the way you know obviously his shooting numbers are off the chart you know over 50 from the floor over 40 from three over 90 from the free-throw line very difficult to do but to me his growth has been as a passer making more good plays when he's involving other people makes them and him even more difficult to defend career eye numbers in a number of areas especially as you mentioned the assists so we're set to start the second period Russell Westbrook six assists five rebounds in the first quarter although he was over five from the field Reggie Jackson the backup point guard is in right now for the Thunder Kevin Martin difficult floater over Jody Meeks and again that's where they're going to go offensively to Kevin Martin with this unit on the floor he went right at the smaller Jody Meeks Chris Duhon Antoine Jameson who puts up the shot and Nails it Jamison with Five Points Off the Bench out there with the soul World Peace you know it's Reggie Jackson Kevin Martin Nick Collison Hashem kabeet and Andre Biggins a rare time where Westbrook and Duran are both on the bench Martin and then he grabs Duhan to prevent what may have been an easy fast break for the Lakers on the floor lineups right now brought to you by Taco Bell we mentioned Jackson and Martin Liggins start to play more for Scotty Brooks young man out of Kentucky very good Defender why are he strong [Music] world peace goes right at Liggins and Liggins good defensive play forces a jump ball Higgins in his second year second round pick out of Kentucky played his first year with the magic they they like his his defensive ability he didn't play a heck of a lot last year in Orlando good player with the Wildcats three years at Kentucky [Applause] [Music] opening minute second quarter pass inside to Jamison count it and a foul once again very good ball movement for the LA Lakers [Applause] when you share it like this and make quick decisions the game is so much easier Duhan started it with a nice easy release to world peace and then World Peace found the cutting Jamison on the way to the rim hello Mike dantoni trying to find who can contribute Off the Bench we all know about the big four obviously with Bryant Howard Nash and Gasol guys like Earl Clark Antoine Jamison Jody Meeks who will help on a regular basis who can he count on still trying to figure it out he has been a tough go needless to say for the Lakers but with all the problems that they've had they're all very confident that they're going to make the playoffs well I think too Mike you forget Steve Blake should be coming back soon they lost Jordan Hill who had some good moments and is out for the season so they're really down you know some people and they don't he doesn't have a lot of answers over there Durant side of the backboard Kevin Durant just three for nine to start there's Meeks meets on the drive barrels into Collison in a blocking foul Collison may have gotten there a split second too late he's one of the best in the NBA at drawing offensive charges but not that time they say came before the shot because Collison picks up his first [Applause] well he takes it to the rim you know it's a bang bang play and they say he passed it so that's why he didn't get to free throw Gasol nice little fake pow the soul coming off the bench he stated he doesn't particularly care for that but he's going to accept it do his best he's playing better last couple of weeks to the last couple of games I should say well his stats Off the Bench are far superior to his stats as a starter this year and he really just got to energize himself cephalosa kicks it out Collison Allison lights the Baseline that's good half court defense though by by the Lakers Duhan took us all [Applause] the beat uh foul still Jeffrey looking everybody is analyzed and gone over the Lakers problems over and over and over again big picture what do you think has been the biggest problem for them well I think there's a couple one was out of their control which was the injuries they made coaching you know a couple different coaching changes this year I think that is difficult but then as this all travels the biggest thing to me was they didn't voluntarily cooperate with how Mike D'Antoni saw the best way for them to play and all they did was Advocate change after change after change and what they should do is just trust him he'll put him in a great position to win if they just listen and learn the beat on the follow and the other thing you want to say Embrace responsibility that's the one way you can improve is if you say I can do better too often they're talking about what the other people should be doing instead of what they have to do better and that's another nice play by Jody Meeks to Jamison spotting up in the corner well on Friday night against Utah they played like a team not like a collection of All-Stars which has been the case in a number of games and throughout much of the season as Durant gets inside count it and a foul and the Lakers they played as Mike dantoni said with great energy and they shared the ball sounds kind of simple not always the case it really is and it starts with your best players playing like that and this is the tone that Kevin Durant has set for the Oklahoma City Thunder the song laid on the help good use of the rim by Durant the three-point play opportunity the Thunder down seven come back to Staples Center where the Lakers are up by seven much has been made about the team meeting the Lakers head on Wednesday I've been told that the tone was contentious at times in your face very direct but very much necessary it has been reported that Kobe Bryant came out and asked white power point blank do you like playing here with me Howard says that did not happen in the meeting so I asked him that very same question and here's what he had to say [Music] I was to go got the ball you know a book on her possessions and uh you know something had to get used to but you know at the same time for me you know I can't allow you know not getting touches or you know just little things to affect who I am and what I bring to a team [Music] Dwight says he understands the criticism he says he said La the expectations are high but he says what he wants people to know is that he's still working his way back from that back surgery he said he hasn't didn't play in five months and it's been difficult trying to make all of this work while trying to make his body work the way it used to Mike all right Lisa off the cephalosio flock Jackson the layup and the back injury certainly a part of it and so but he's let everybody know Ad nauseam that his back hurts okay and that he's not a hundred percent that's not what people are upset about as he gets fouled on the drive to the rim that's not what they're upset about they're upset about his waffling constantly on everything and this idea that he's he has to has less touches now you're the one that wanted out of the situation in Orlando where you were the featured guy so this is what I've ascertained that he wants that would make him happy highest paid player on a championship caliber team First Option offensive threat in a big Market with no pressure no responsibility and no one to prod him from a coaching standpoint and where do you find that in the NBA what he should do is just say I want it out I want it here I'm going to make it work here well even even just for example in the past week he apologized for complaining about his touches he said he acted immature he vowed to improve his demeanor and go out and dominate defensively and all those things are right and that he said it but it comes down to actions have to speak louder than words and frankly the last two games he has looked more engaged as Durant gets fouled but you you do not have to beg an NBA player for energy effort and unselfishness because you're not getting touches doesn't give you the right to hold your team hostage by not giving your very very best and I would say this when Gasol was asked to come off the bench he doesn't have the right to mope around either Hey listen you may not like anything but I'll say this if Manu Ginobili can come off the bench in San Antonio and never say one word so can you and when you look at Howard's capability and you've talked about this in fact I always remember something that your brother Stan said when he when he coached Dwight Howard that he affects more possessions on both ends of the floor than anyone in the NBA that's what he's capable of doing he loved coaching him uh Howard had extremely successful yourself and you know what Mike it's funny somebody asked me the other day to me would you coach him I would love to coach a guy with his level of talent and basketball IQ but he's just right now to me he's been erratic he's sort of lost his way because he's focusing on things that have really to the detriment of his performance he's the best center in basketball [Music] and he should play that way as Durant knocks down that shot though again in just in the last week with everything coming down the right things were said but until it's done out on the floor night in and night out like he used to do in Orlando [Music] and I think Brian's going out of his way to try to make the right play and help him and that's good but it clearly has not been an easy transition those two they approached the game and the way they their demeanor is on opposite ends of the spectrum at times one is ultra serious about his profession the other a little bit more light-hearted not a little bit very light-hearted but again it comes down to this is a performance business and you look at his numbers any other sinner you look at the numbers would be ecstatic over what he's done leads the league in rebounding okay he's also fourth in the NBA in Block shots fourth and field goal percentage so some of the numbers are incredible right but he but he has so much ability he can do more and when you look at it listen he says he wants to be a post-up guy no I love the way they're posting them today on the Move off the pick and roll just like he played like in Orlando he's not a guy you can go to and just run straight post-ups to and expect that to carry you home he's a high turnover low free throw percentage guy and he's not gonna be a go-to guy on a team that wins a championship he's got to have other offensive players around him he certainly has that world peace keeps it alive Ryan out to Nash just over five minutes gone by here in the second the soul lobs it up to Howard and to beat bumps him well the two big men working well together there that's where they can work well together because Gasol is such a skilled Passover the beat picks up his third foul already and just six minutes off the bench always going to go to the line well getting a little louder I don't have to put one of those no they're too loud they're hoping that he's going to make a free throw he's one for six no they're trying to give him encouragement right Hey listen they know how important he is to their future if he walks at the end of the year before the season he gave the indication that he was going to stay here now again he's back to that waffling mode which puts the the you know dampens the spirits of some of the Laker faithful right but you can't if a guy's going to be an unrestricted free agent you can't blame him for saying all right I'm going to do my very best I'm going to play my heart out and then I'll see you at the end of the season what's going on no absolutely it's his choice but but he's changed his tone against it started where he he wanted to be in LA and now it's because now he's sort of putting it out there he's unhappy with Mike D'Antoni he's unhappy with Kobe and is touching man just make it easy on yourself and play full I'm not making easy at the free-throw line now one of eight there's Westbrook brings his back five on the shot clock West Coast way off Westbrook oh for six Bryant releases and scores tied again you know let's get those two Steve Nash passes on the break on tape the bounce pass to Earl Clark and then the nice chest pass to Kobe Bryant beautiful play [Applause] [Music] We're Midway through the second Bryant swats it away from Duran who thought he got hit excellent defense Nash open for three [Applause] timeout Thunder [Applause] thanks for watching ESPN on ABC Home of the NBA finals with his sense of humor has been a tough stretch for Scotty Brooks to laugh this past week he lost his mom a week ago and his mom who raised Scott and his six siblings on her own passed away on Sunday with a quick battle with cancer and she was he's had a lot of influences in his life in the game of basketball but nobody more than his mom Lee who used to text him and critique him after almost every single game they talked all the time so it's been a rough time we've sent our certainly our prayers and thoughts to Scott and his family Royal peace knocks down a three great sequence by the Lakers Kobe Bryant hits or Gasol hits Howard in the lane and then Howard touch passes it to World Peace Westbrook gets it inside deflected by Nash deflected by World Peace my kid Tony has been fired up about World Peace's defense recently he can't defend the quicker guys like he used to but he says defending the fours he's incredible another three for four way short but another excellent play by Brian off the pick and roll Westbrook on the pull-up Westbrook now old for seven he normally loves coming back here in a HomeTown kid who played at UCLA as well in his college the rough start shooting the ball world peace calling for it against Durant still as strong as ever good help from Ibaka deflected off world peace that's four block shots for Serge ibacco's obviously okay after that nasty spill earlier it's funny we came here the game started the Laker fans were almost subdued and you can't blame him for the way the team has played but this is a type of game you can beat Oklahoma City not only for the fans getting fired up as Martin Nows the three but even for a veteran team like by Gasol well we got a second let's look at our big board a bunch of games coming up ESPN tonight nips at home against the Atlanta Hawks the 6 30 Eastern Time start of Madison Square Garden Monday NBA TV Brooklyn hosting Orlando and doubleheader on TNT Oklahoma City that's their next game they get a nice break they host Memphis and then Dallas playing at Golden State [Applause] the ranch is well six of 14 now 17 total points you think about him just think about what you said you know he's sort of struggled and he's got 17 points I mean this guy scores so easily [Applause] and Scott Brooks talks about guys think they're contesting his shot but they're not he's got that high release and again at his size he's pretty much unguardable one-on-one ball poked away Sefolosha Westbrook back to civil OSHA layup blocked by Howard it would have been a goalten winning anyway as the Thunder have reeled off seven straight points and now Mike Antoni wants a timeout quick turnaround for Scott Brooks and his Oklahoma City squad all the talk has been about the Lakers but the Oklahoma City Thunder continue to play good basketball Russell Westbrook struggling from the field but making good plays time and again fine Sefolosha running the floor for the fast break layup and the three-point lead [Music] Kevin Durant the Thunder leading by three Durant trying to be part of some pretty Exclusive Company talk about guys 50 from the field 40 from 390 from the free-throw line bird did it twice Steve Nash has done it four times in Durant right now on Pace to do it having a magnificent season leading the NBA and scoring doing it in so many ways yeah you've got to take away the free throws and the layups when he gets stuck in transition like this it's very difficult to slow him down he's already shot Seven free throws you can live with those mid-range jumpers this is a little too much airspace [Applause] [Music] he's in so much better shape this year and now guarding Durant down the other end he's not a young guy anymore you know I mean he's mid 30s now Ibaka the left open about the shot roll short and it's 33 now while police ball inside Gasol foul got the shot off but it was before the shot attempt having a laugh with Monty McCutcheon 2000 Ibaka you know we've talked as you I'm going to mention we talked so much about the Lakers and their woes and their ups and downs [Music] when we go back to Oklahoma City and the fact that before the season they make that major trade James Harden's gone Kevin Martin comes and they still have the best record in the NBA and it's not just how good they are offensively they're so improved defensively over the past couple of years it really has been an incredible first half really has seamless transition as the Lakers continue to struggle from the line but seamless transition and give Scott Brooks and his coaching staff and the players of the Thunder and Kevin Martin a lot of credit because James Harden and rightfully so was beloved in Oklahoma City for his game and sacrifice coming off the bench just a tremendous basketball player Perkins two for two from the field but they overcame that transition and part of the reason why you know some of their numbers whether it's assists like for example Westbrook's assist the way up because the ball's in his hands more but as we said earlier for both Westbrook and Durant it's more than just numbers where you see the Improvement you just see the way they're playing the game is better Durant excellent defense finds cephalosia cephalosa for three and Kobe Bryant for Rebound Bryant's only taken five shots here in the first half finds Gasol and a blocking foul that's going to be three on Ibaka give this whole room to plant and change after he caught it and then the solo go back to the line where he just missed a couple I thought this was a tough call for Ibaka to me he looked like he was there good running of the floor by Gasol [Applause] that is close Lakers have missed their last eight free throws the drought ends as we remind you of the Sprint Halftime Report coming up first half analysis from the guys in the studio and the impact on the Rondo injury and again Celtics with a good win and double overtime against Miami but they lose Rajon Rondo with a serious knee injury you know All-Star point guard [Applause] and that's tragic and I'm nominating Steph Curry to be on the All-Star Game replacing Rondo Steph Curry's in the Western Conference as you know I don't care about Western East he deserves to be at the game playing in the game I don't care where you want to put him well Lopez one of the guys in the East that has a chance to get in there I don't think that the league officer is going to listen to him I do I actually think they will now you're Delirious he's from North Carolina you can make the case I bet you he made I bet you he's in the All-Star game it's such an oversight that he's not in the game well your former broadcast partner as well as mine Mark Jackson very strong about his disgust of him not being on the All-Star team Nash flips it up shot won't go now remember Tim Duncan's got a knee injury right now he's missed a couple of games so maybe Duncan will sit and Curry can play with his friends on the west as opposed to changing the rules boy Westbrook not even close or you could put Brooks Lopez since he's from California on the western team if Duncan's not able to go stop making it so much more confusing we've got to have how about just the best 24 guys having a season power throws it down another nice pass from Mr assist Kobe Bryant Brian has only taken five shots but he has six assists and seven rebounds and he could have had four or five morrises on makeable shots that just didn't go down well Mike Antoni said he played like Oscar Robertson the other night against Utah because he had not only the 14 assists he had nine rebounds Robertson and triple double man the Hall of Fame great Westbrook finally gets a field goal he was over eight and that puts the Thunder back up by one shot clock is off Nash looking bad pass stolen by cephalosha cephalosha does not get it off in time and that will end the first half and a good one Kobe Bryant once again looking to distribute he leads the team with six assists World Peace leading the team and scoring with 10 points good all-around game for Kobe Bryant Lakers shoot 51 percent from the field although trailing by one and while Kevin Durant leading all scorers with 18 and he's with Lisa thank you Mike Kevin leading all scores 18 points what's working well for you personally so far this afternoon well I missed a lot of shots I'm just trying to be aggressive um I'm missing wide open threes and some shots I normally hit so I just got to continue to keep being aggressive my teammates looking for me we gotta do a better job on the defensive end Describe the impact that Russell is having on this game even though he scored just one bucket well he's controlling the whole game you know passing the ball well um rebounding we gotta make we gotta make some shots for him but um second half we just gotta continue to keep putting our foot on the gas thank you Mike all right Lisa we'll talk about it all uh Sprint Halftime Report Magic Johnson Jaylen Rose Bill Simmons Michael wilbon the gang plenty to talk about with this game and again the Rondo situation in Boston here in Los Angeles halftime Kobe Bryant passing and passing well this was a beautiful drive to the basket and first half that had nine ties and 11 lead changes Lakers try to continue what a little momentum they got from Friday night 53-52 Thunder by one foreign [Music] welcome back to the NBA Sunday showcase Thunder and Lakers from LA Lakers with 16 assists on 51 field goal percentage Thunder had 15 assists themselves including Russell Westbrook with nine of them and Kobe Bryant although with a nice move here he was a facilitator he had six assists the Thunder had the lead a one-point Advantage as we get set for the third quarter hanging everyone with Jeff Van Gundy Mike Green on and we'll check in with Lisa Salters in just a moment once again the Lakers they're doing some nice things second game in a row really sharing the ball but they're trailing because there's a guy named Kevin Durant on the other team yeah Oklahoma City is so Dynamic and Durant leads the way and we were talking about it earlier you've got to try to take away his layups and his free throws and so when you turn it over Oklahoma City makes you pay here in Westbrook hits the trailing Duran and then the help has to be earlier to take away the layup and the foul and this is really difficult as you said my very difficult to contest those shots but you got to be up a little bit higher on that pick and roll coverage he started slowly granted but finished strong obviously in that first half meanwhile for the Lakers second straight game with Kobe Bryant it was obvious he wanted to get everyone involved and there was a good they really felt like a team out there I love the way they played in that first half I thought they were tied together at both ends I thought their effort level was good here you watch Steve Nash this is textbook point guard play the bounce pass to the running Earl Clarkin transition just beautiful and then see a mismatch Pau gasolves as good a passing the big guy as there is in the NBA terrific up in the elbow area finds World Peace against the smaller Kevin Martin and then Bryant to Gonzalez to Howard who touches it to World Peace for the three they shared it they didn't hold it it didn't seem like they cared who shot the ball just that they created a good quality shot every time let's check in with Lisa Salters hey Michael I was just talking to Mike D'Antoni and he said exactly the same thing he was very pleased with that first half except he thought that they gave up too many fouls and again going back to that team meeting and guys really thinking that in the win on Friday that the energy level and the effort level was different then Tony told us this cannot be a 48-hour thing this can't have a shelf life we've got to do this all the time I asked him if he saw a carryover and he said absolutely he liked what he saw we got to continue to do that the rest of the way he said you know Lisa they had that five game winning streak back in December but even though they won those five games they weren't they still didn't seem like they were really on the same page and then they even had that disastrous start to the month of January two of ten before that Victory on Friday night against Utah [Applause] Bryant's only taken five shots it's old hard you can hear the thought Brian is shaking up [Applause] and I thought it could have been goaltending as well oh it goes right for the back again it didn't seem this was like the Ibaka fall in the first half it didn't seem like he had any chance to brace his fall and lessen the impact [Applause] cephalosa is a great defender good step through by Bryant takes a full force hit from Perkins just got the hands down but that was a hard fall I don't know I mean there's certainly no one tougher you might find somebody as tough in terms of dealing with injuries playing through injuries playing nicked up banged up and this guy leads the pack on that seven points eight rebounds six assists and again you think you said this at the top for those just tuning in it's great that he's passing the ball but it's not a predetermined thing it's kind of what the defense that's the key for him exactly and to do it without holding on to the ball Mike to make quicker decisions and I think when all the Lakers do that they're much more difficult to guard you just look at San Antonio the way they play as the Thunder turn it over the ball never sticks it's shoot it pass it drive it and do it immediately it's a much more fun way to play everybody's involved and as much as guys say it shouldn't affect them down the other end it does yeah I'm noticing one thing I think Dwight Howard's got to get back to too is setting more solid screens he's he's set three screens on the ball this half and he'll be more open if he actually makes contact on his screams he's sort of slipping out too early which doesn't make his man commit makes it much easier to guard him on the roll Westbrook uh dribbling there Ibaka back out six on the shot clock did a good job under ran early Grant now six of 15 from the field two-point Thunder lead we've played two minutes here in the third this would be such a huge win for the Lakers powered powers in did he travel yup shuffled his feet and Kendrick Perkins has always given Dwight Howard problems defensively in the low post he says that's been his toughest guy yeah going back to the Boston matchups that they had in the playoffs in those one-on-one situations Perkins has always defended him exceptionally well a nice pass Westbrook Perkins gathers and Banks it in Perkins is four for four and Westbrook just got his 10th assist and again stunning out or helping on Durant too early Westbrook is just picking him apart [Music] all right finding Nash gets it inside the Howard gathers and throws it down well first a nice pass from Westbrook at one end and then Nash at the other and National Nash moving without the ball as Bryant got into the paints gave him an angle to drive the ball Westbrook gets inside wraps it around the Perkins back out to Durant great look Nails it through that's his first three-pointer they were only one for 10 in the first half from downtown yeah this is their largest lead of the game Durant with 21. Brian one other noticeable change on Bryant's pick and rolls is that they're taking place closer to the basket he's backing in and then Howard's coming over Perkins the offensive rebound westford's had one of the strangest games you could have he's been magnificent running the team in terms of 10 assists he's got eight rebounds but he's one for 11 from the field an hour that one had no chance of going in now it grabs it Kobe Bryant side steps strip from behind by Westbrook and then Westbrook pushes gold he goes right back somebody's got a technical perhaps a double Tucker O'Brien still joined [Applause] that was much to do about nothing [Applause] Westbrook came from behind didn't give up on the play would you like this jump you know found them and then Kobe Bryant pushed him first and then Westbrook came right back so the technical foul call on Kobe Bryant well he did he made the first non-basketball play there I'm surprised that wasn't a double technical when Westbrook came back to him you should celebrate you like I know I am ecstatic [Applause] grabbed his leg a little I don't really don't think either one actually deserves a tactical but but meanwhile for Brian that's his ninth technical so he's tied for the league lead with Matt Barnes DeMarcus Cousins and Blake Griffin and Bryant will go to the line well three of those four guys are having great years so I'm fine with that you get suspended on your 16th meanwhile Howard by the way Dwight Howard has five flagrant foul points you get two points on a flagrant two one point on the flagrant one as Westbrook is engaging the fan right now if Howard gets another flagrant foul at all rest of the season then he's suspended for a game meanwhile David Guthrie the official just warned the fan about what he was saying to Westbrook [Applause] [Music] [Applause] Howard called for the reaching [Applause] three fouls on Howard as we look at our big board coming up including a game tonight and it's going to be on ESPN Nixon Hawks Madison Square Garden Monday on NBA TV Nets hosting the magic and then double header on TNT Thursday Memphis and Oklahoma City Dallas and Golden State Durant catch and shoot that's a three [Applause] Thunder the best three-point shooting team actually they dropped to Second golden state is now number one in percentage they're just two of 12. offensive foul called I think it's going to be on Howard and that's his fourth and this is where they have to stay mentally strong not started well the only down two again Perkins is always using his body I'm not feeling that well Perkins disagrees with you I still think you know I used to always say that the hardest call for an official was blocked charge I think figuring out what's a foul and what's not when the guys are jockeying for position in the low post is the hardest thing to call I agree with that it is difficult [Music] cephalocious sets himself Kobe Bryant with another rebound now he had nine rebounds Friday he's got nine rebounds already tonight [Music] that's great defensive lotion Royal peace shot bouncer Off the Mark or Clark on the follow and cephalosa comes down just moved it on to World Peace that's what you need sometimes you just move the ball to move it Durant trying to draw the foul he does by the way you can't defend Kobe Bryant better than what Sefolosha did on that oh this guy is as good of an individual Defender as is in the NBA he's long he's got huge hands he's got a tenacity High defensive basketball IQ yeah he's a terrific Defender he if you score on him you've earned him Nash is second they got to stop fouling Durant though they got to put their body in front and make him pass the ball versus region he said hey eight in a row after he missed his first had that 21 for 21. free throw shooting game in Dallas a couple of weeks ago the game you were at second best Mark in NBA history behind Dominique Wilkins 23-23 and novitsky in the playoffs was 24 for 24 right and that marks regular season Bryant it's inside that time just a little better than cephalosa's defense beautiful move from Kobe Bryant he has had one of the most efficient games he's five of seven from the field and seven of his 13 points here in the third quarter [Music] [Applause] Westbrook one for 12. [Applause] [Music] finds Perkins Perkins short peace puts his head down and lost the dribble see to me you have to find Steve Nash in those situations get it to Nash and make him be the decision maker he's got to get it across the timeline just does Bryant on Durant the Olympic teammates from the summer [Music] oh Durant got slobbered absolutely whacked by it looked like two different guys wow [Applause] Gasol left open thank you Devin Durant a little frustrated there he took a hard shot now he picked up a lot of technicals there he's got seven technicals and he said he's not gonna he doesn't want to get any more rest of the way [Applause] or a piece the rebound Durant now seven for 18. and a foul down the other end it's going to go against Kevin Durant a little frustrated where he took that foul right there and he gets to be quiet from behind clearly [Music] oh he got whacked and he World Peace was in the restricted area that's a foul right now though the Lakers have tied the game 503 remaining in the third a good one Lakers and Thunder here in LA [Music] ESPN's NBA Sunday showcase on ABC brought to you by IBM let's build a smarter Planet visit ibm.com smarterplanet Dominos order from dominos.com today and don't forget to track your order and the U.S Postal Service schedule your free package on under the current Quail format 271 teams have the same record as the Lakers and only 12.3 percent made the playoffs and that was just to get into the eight seed so continuous times Laker fans they're panicking because no postseason well that's something they're simply not used to they've missed the playoffs only twice since Kobe Bryant was born and although it's certainly an uphill climb this team is still confident that they will make the playoffs and Jeff when they play like they did Friday and the way they're playing tonight it's sad in that they couldn't be playing this way earlier in the season but there is definitely real hope they're keeping hope alive play like this Take Your Best Shot the name of that show should be numbers sometimes misrepresent here here but it just goes to show you the odds there see the next step Mike is not just passing but passing on target Gasol made a very unselfish play but it was off Target and took Brian off of his shot Westbrook can't get it to go down Nash the rebound the song takes his time gets it to Clark Clark nice move and the Lakers have the lead now this is the third time these two teams have played each other the first two games Lakers didn't even lead at all in the second half and here they have a two-point advantage [Applause] [Music] [Applause] Durant's had big games against them throws it down he's had a 42-point game a 36-point game and he has 26 with four minutes to go in the third but if you're Earl Clarks you can't gamble for steals it allows a direct line drive it's you're not going to be able to guard him like that they qualify that time on cephalosa he wants to know what the call is about I mean that that's just that's a young player making a mistake [Music] but these are the things when you're playing against a more talented team you can't make these type of mistakes [Music] Ryan took us all how many teams have a guy that's capable of just getting that one-on-one defensive coverage and not getting help the way cephalosa does I'm Kobe Bryant yeah there's not that many right Durant to the basket blocked from behind another foul on Gasol you could go through them very quickly very few but again Duran gets an angle looks like a good block by Pau Gasol this will be a better angle I think oh he hit him in the head uh see that no on the other second replay hit him in the head actually it's the same play I just want you to know it's not like two different players Mike but you can't see from different angles thanks for thanks for pointing that out Durant 10 of 11 from the free-throw line [Applause] 3 26 remaining here in the third it's turned into a good game one that's had 13 lead changes and 11 ties two-point Thunder lead [Music] Bryant kicks it out Nash six to shoot Nash on the drive shoots it over Westbrook what a tough shot and Jameson shaking up and got bump I mean about the ability to balance up on that drive and stop on one leg [Applause] incredible play by Nast y Westbrook gets it a go he was one for 13 before that by the way Nash always talks about you know you shoot off the one foot this is the reason you saw effect he practiced it so if you do that in the game without practicing it it's not going to work used to do it with Dirk Nowitzki the two of them practiced it when they were teammates in Dallas Earl Clark Banks it in and to me this is the Thunder's best lineup when they have they played Durant at the four and one big whoever that big may be the biggest currently Nick Collison Martin sefolosho Westbrook all pretty pass Westbrook once again seeing the floor so well knee has done such a fabulous job running the team All Season 11 assists and despite his two for 14 from the field uh he's done some nice things well Steve Nash you don't think of him as an athlete but this is a very athletic move to be able to stop fade off of one foot Arc the ball I mean this is just a big time shot over a great defender in Russell Westbrook thanks for watching ESPN on ABC Home of the NBA final 24 year old Russell Westbrook in his fifth year in the league look at that three categories in the top ten and then add in second most rebounds per game by a point guard he has been terrific and one of the reasons he was named to the All-Star team who's who has more rebounds than him as a point guard I'm gonna try and think Rondo ah yes man is that too bad about Rondo and there's point guards going down with those knee injuries and talking about Rondo Mike I I was thinking about this about the All-Star Game they can dress 13 players now in the NBA so why do we only have 12 in the All-Star game we should have 13 in the All-Star Game Westbrook on the follow well the one difference is you know DeAndre Liggins only plays two minutes he's not going to get mad some All-Star goes all the way to Houston and those things Steph curry'd be mad if he played and he only got five or six minutes he'd be thrilled it just doesn't make any sense well especially if you go by what you really want try it now shot clock at seven Sefolosha stays with him Bryant with the Finish nose for the foul boy cephalosha and Brian really battling that's fun to watch as Bryant will shoot two see I disagree that last possession that's opposite of how they were playing in the first half where there were quick decisions made it was a great individual move but the ball stayed on one side I'm not sure where the the foul was there but when that ball was moving and they put him in pick and rolls and quicker post-ups I thought it was better for their team Brian hits the free throw they're still shooting 51 from the field they have 21 assists it's a free throw shooting they missed 10. [Music] so you want to increase the roster I just wanted to to feature what you get in a normal game 13 in a normal game 13 in the All-Star game I don't understand why you'd have less guys in the All-Star game when there are so many deserving worthy players well you did propose the other night that you don't think there should be an All-Star coach that the players should be allowed to decide who plays a news I really do believe [Music] or like you said um a legend a legend why not [Applause] two-point Thunder lead final minute third quarter Liggins in the game and happy to be there he defended Brian early nice feed to Jameson Colby Bryant with his ninth assist to go along with nine rebounds and 15 points and Jameson knows how to play without the ball offensively another good cut by him Westbrook now three for 16. again one of them oddest statistical games you'll see he's got 11 assists nine rebounds but he can't hit anything the soul is hammered wow what a pass by Brian and that's getting back to how they were playing the ball touched his hand Gasol cut it right onto Saul's hands as Nick Collison stepped over to give some help good cut by Gasol good find by Brian and I still say that this should if he makes these free throws this should be an assist yeah I kind of like that song is this go to nbatickets.com for all your NBA ticketing needs single day tickets partial plans season tickets group sales and to buy and sell tickets from fans all tickets one site go to NBA tickets.com evolution Howard's sitting right now with four fouls the soul misses a couple Jameson offensive rebound Lakers now from the free-throw line have missed 12. Bryant threw it behind the soul able to gather puts it in the Lakers back up by two and they went a little early which is going to give Oklahoma City another shot second straight game double figure assists for Bryant Westbrook Bank Shot gets the bounce the hippie's most difficult attempt of the afternoon there's Duhan shot Off the Mark and we'll head to the fourth quarter all tied at 75. Russell Westbrook with 11 assists Colby Bryant with 10 plus nine rebounds 15 points is one rebound away from the second triple double of the season for him sell out crowd of the Staples Center is this presentation of the NBA Sunday showcase continues after this message and a word from our ABC station the good things are happening mentioned Kobe were used to him scoring he's on the verge of a triple double how does it impact the game when he is rebounding and dishing out this assist the way it is it gives everybody energy and that's what that's what's happening when you feel good about yourself then you play better defense Mike welcome back to Staples Center Mike it's a tie game heading into the fourth quarter what do you like about the way your team is battling right now well the energy is good uh you know I think some a lot of different guys are contributing uh Kobe's moving the ball very well so a lot of good things are happening I mentioned Kobe we're used to him scoring he's on the verge of a triple double how does it impact the game when he is rebounding and dishing out those assists the way it is because everybody enters you and that's what that's what's happened when you feel good about yourself then you play better defense thank you Mike all right Lisa Dwight Howard back in after sitting for a while he had four fouls throws up a quick Lefty hook shot that falls well short but see that's a good shot for him because he's in the paint and it came off of a pick and roll which allowed him to get a little bit better position he just missed that left-handed jump hook and he's better actually with his left hand than he is with his right Kevin Martin draws the foul that goes against Jody Meeks his first Martin as we said coming over in the James Harden trades the third leading scorer 15 a game leads the NBA in free throw shooting in 91 percent he's eighth and three point percentage at 44 said it's the happiest he's been in his NBA career and he said something interesting Jeff in terms of talking about coming to A Team where they expected when he goes I really pitch in the face the value of winning every night and having the ability to win every night he's played on some bad teams now you don't really appreciate it until you get to do it there's so many bad teams in our league that just throw a custom to losing that's all misfires Martin comes up with it Martin was a big scorer in Houston and Sacramento drives and finishes by the way though you've been very impressed with some of the recent play of the so-called bad team I have the Wizards beat the Bulls the other night they've won five straight at home I love how hard they're playing Jody Meeks Nails a three how Gasol is making some outstanding plays passing the ball today [Music] overall 24 assists for the Lakers [Applause] [Music] [Applause] Durant gets an opening [Music] right now Brian and Nash resting for the Lakers I think Tony said he's got to cut down on Kobe Bryant's minutes fourth in the NBA minutes per game I don't think they have the roster to allow that to happen and still especially in the position they are where you know every game is so critical so Meeks here the fourth quarter comes off the bench knocks down a couple of shots and the Lakers up by two [Applause] Reggie Jackson who's now the backup point guard to Westbrook Ibaka jump shot just continues to get better and better World Peace fires away a three-pointer the seventh three-pointer for the Lakers World Peace has three of them La shooting 52 percent in the Thunder one of the best teams in opponent's field goal percentage third in the NBA Durant floats it up that is such a tough shot I mean that is just so good [Applause] World Peace it's all four to shoot that's all on the drive Lefty hook shot wow I don't think he really wanted to take that but had to with the shot clock winding down he's got 14 points [Applause] Reggie Jackson Howard with his 10th rebounds Lakers by three three and a half gone by Howard down low and balls and another great pass by Pau Gasol [Applause] Howard has struggled from the Lines Just One of eight and we'll go back there now the two big men working well together time out [Applause] [Music] well it was a bad possession but Gasol drove it left and finished over the long arm of the law Serge Ibaka Lakers up three [Music] ESPN's NBA Sunday showcase on ABC brought to you by identity thief from the director of Horrible Bosses and the producer of Ted in theaters this February Geico 15 minutes could save you 15 or more on car insurance visit us at geico.com or call 1-800-947-auto at Buffalo Wild Wings Wings beer sport another 30-point effort for Kevin Durant you know we talked a lot this year about Steve Nash and how upbeat he is in terms of his leadership skills Kevin Durant the same way Jeff absolutely so many positive comments well I have to we go one of eight from the line there's much pause for celebration with that one he's trying not to smile now he doesn't want to smile they'll explode if he gets this one yeah he's down to 50 percent this year at the freezer line was 20 tonight Westbrook out of control and Howard with the deflection and that's what he can do as well as anyone at the center position Collison and Howard really battling down low world peace for three [Applause] very few guys might shoot the three off the dribble well made one today but those are tough difficult shots world peace on Durant Russell Westbrook on the pull-up jumper 4 of 18 from the field but he's one rebound shy of a triple double as well 10 points 11 assists nine rebounds and Westbrook takes it away from Duhan and it's back to a two-point game as he said he's amongst the leaders in the NBA and steals per game he's sixth in the league [Applause] [Music] foreign trying to give it to Howard and a foul on Collison Rion Collison returns [Applause] well he fouled Duhon and led to the Steal and the layup Elon and meek sit down Nash and Kobe Bryant come back in and Jody Meeks gave him five big points to start that fourth [Music] Brian the soul slapped by Westbrook in a foul that's his fourth and the team's third I'll be interesting to see how Kobe Bryant plays down the rest here in the fourth quarter he's looked to distribute so much will he want to be the guy to take the shot or will he continue to look for the open man when he's double teamed well I think again you know Jordan used to do it where he passed early and then looked to become more and more aggressive late I think it goes back to just make the right basketball play Durant hits a three and the Thunder back up by one seven straight points by Oklahoma City 33 now for Durant or seven to two runs by the Thunder for a piece against Martin shot they're going to count it yes basket counts and a foul against the Lakers Dwight Howard I believe that's going to be five on Howard [Applause] Kevin Martin trying to guard him [Applause] that's good defense by Martin right now I'm saying he's good shot by our test and an easy foul call but Martin who's now given a result down there and he's really worked hard defensively our test has them by about 90 pounds and about three dozen muscles no question I said our test I get fined for that right no World Peace just do your best Mike it's all we can ask [Applause] we're at the Midway point now Duran steps back Ibaka battling lost it trying to get it World Peace again his eighth rebound to go along with 15 points [Applause] Perkins on Brian Perkins actually does a pretty good job he moves pretty well for a big guy Ryan wants to take him feed the clock and the Finish 11th assist for Kobe Bryant and the Lakers back up by three and a well-timed cut by Earl Clark Westbrook cards of the basket lost it out of bounds he wanted a foul call no whistle Laker ball time out is there a technical foul on Westbrook yes Westbrook's been frustrated five of 20 from the field he thought he got hit well Westbrook drives a baseline laid help it looked like there was contact with Pau Gasol [Applause] you did get hit Westbrook upset Lonnie McCutchen says technical foul Laker ball in a free [Music] very similar numbers from Friday night to this afternoon especially the assist the season i-14 in the victory against the Jazz 11 more here this afternoon as his team's up three well and he's making good solid quick decisions there the Baseline Drive and dish to Howard at the dotted Circle and then the easy pocket pass took a song another Baseline Drive finding guys riding that restricted lane and same with the Earl Clark basket off the cut six players in double figures Nash shooting the technical free throw off Westbrook Westbrook and Brian have established a good relationship to gain Olympic teammates Ryan loves Westbrook's fearlessness absolutely loves it it's one of the players he really respects Lakers up by four the largest lead in the second half by either team is five Kevin Martin good job seeing that one coming this one has been close throughout no double figure leads at all here this afternoon [Applause] and with cephalosa out Durant given the job of guarding Kobe Bryant Brian shoots scores Kobe Bryant drills it a line drive and the largest lead of the second half for the Lakers [Applause] crowd all fired up and they were a little quiet early here this afternoon wondering if their team could have back-to-back impressive performances Durant the drives floater won't go clock the rebound [Music] [Applause] this would be such a huge win for the Lakers after tonight they play home against New Orleans in a seven game Road Trip clock puts it up in and out off the rim Perkins hauls it in of those seven games on the road trip five of them against Kings with losing records Westbrook oh impressive spin move from Russell Westbrook but we used to always say Mike when you have a game circled they may have you circled back you know they're a loser they have a team with a losing record don't think those teams don't know that either good point [Applause] Nash season opening lays it in this patient sometimes for a play to develop [Applause] great change of speed a foul against Clark over aggressive that's his third trying to defend Durant and again Bryant pick and roll easy play to Nash Nash drives it a little hesitation and then the one negative about playing the small lineup is no shot blocking at The Rim now they're back to their big lineup Westbrook nice crossover draws the foul and Russell Westbrook will get to the line he's only been there twice this afternoon as Gasol picks up his fourth Howard right now on the bench with five fouls [Applause] crazy numbers for Westbrook six of 21. but he's got 12 assists and nine rebounds well Durant and Westbrook combined 16 for 45 and they're right there and it goes to Durant getting to the free-throw line 12 times the number of free throws the Lakers have missed but to be hanging around with your two best players haven't shot well is a testament to their ability to figure out ways to try to win games meanwhile Westbrook and Brian both one rebound away from triple doubles last time in an NBA game there were triple doubles on opposing teams in the same game five and a half years ago Nash off one foot back to six Nash with 15 points Westbrook finds Perkins and Kendrick Perkins is five of six from the field and it's hard to get Pau Gasol to step in and take a charge and he just took a good hit he deserved that call four point game under three to play [Music] [Applause] World Peace travel left for that pivot foot before he put the ball on the floor and that's the Lakers Lakers up four 249 remaining here in the fourths Mike dantoni wired for us this afternoon foreign good job multiple efforts down here that ball goes up I know you got to rebound but y'all still be careful with giraffe all right especially at night not as much to rebound but when they're driving and it's clogged don't let them kick it out the giraffe meanwhile Man Tony had a decision to make because he put Dwight Howard back in with the five fouls Jeffy did he did it's a very difficult decision because it's not just about this game but it's about trying to sign this guy going forward and I I thought it was the right decision this guy has to be a finisher from a defense rebounding standpoint it's Bryant Nash the soul Howard and World Peace shot clock at seven Brian the soul looking for Brian three to shoot puts it up bank shot I think it was going for the back came way short [Applause] [Music] coming up on two minutes remaining right it's only taken 10 shots Westbrook Off the Mark again six for 22 now Lakers clinging to this four-point lead what a victory this could be for the Lakers as they try and get some kind of consistency going it's been another game with excellent teamwork Ryan inside left-handed lays it in and the lead back up to six and that was very close to a five second call on the back end he had that ball in his hand with his back to the basket below the free-throw line for a very very long time a little piece getting aggressive Durant draws the foul a little piece just a little over aggressive as Durant will shoot two free throws [Applause] world peace is always going to body up Durant does a good job going into the contact and earning his way to the free-throw line [Applause] well he's had 42-36 and now 34 and counting in the three games against the Lakers this year that free throw shooting his ability not just to get to the line but look unbelievable high percentage that's why he's leading the league against scoring right now he's been on a terrific tear during this road trip longest road trip of the season for the Thunder this is the Sixth and final game of the trip they're three and two so far and in a real battle ship back on Bryant five to shoot Bryant drives past him finds Gasol and it drops through gorgeous feed for Kobe Bryant second consecutive game with 14 assists and the Thunder called timeout and every time he's driven Baseline he's he's found somebody at the dotted Circle Gasol a well-timed cut Ryan attacks septalosha drives it Baseline as the help comes Gasol follows to the rim and puts the Lakers up six foreign [Music] NBA Wednesday at 8 that's the Heat and the Brooklyn Nets followed by the Lakers Steve Nash back in Phoenix against the Suns double letter on Wednesday on ESPN 109 remaining in the fourth Kobe Bryant second consecutive game has 14 assists and part of the Lakers up by six you see both teams with multiple timeouts Oklahoma City has a foul to give Durant knocked away picked up by Westbrook Westbrook on the drives foul three Lakers around him now Westbrook will shoot free throws with exactly a minute remaining World Peace's third foul well Westbrook drives Howard good health position [Applause] Westbrook looks like he got that ball Cleveland strip well the other one they didn't call it seemed to get fouled this one so tough three hands all these hands reaching in and Westbrook takes advantage hits the free throw he has had a bizarre game six of 22 from the field but 13 assists the nine rebounds [Music] well that could be a big Miss right there the lead remains five for the Lakers [Applause] [Music] [Applause] Bryant four to shoot puts it up puts it in seven point lead great use of the crossover dribble to create space the ranch Stripped by World Peace picked up by the Lakers and Durant foul's world peace with 31 seconds to go they had a foul to give so now the Lakers will inbound [Music] this is just great offense against a terrific Defender the crossover dribble a little space and separation the balance and knocks it in many in the crowd on their feet and they want to celebrate as Westbrook fouls Nash you know the Thunder players are talking about they didn't want to give the Lakers any kind of momentum tight win that they could point to and say oh this this was a turnaround game and obviously it's only a couple of games Friday night against Utah but tonight or this afternoon here against the team with the best record in the NBA but this could be such a huge boost for the Lakers it should build the confidence that if we play right and we all commit to the team first we're going to play good basketball and then we're going to have some great nights and maybe some nights that we lose but we can't question whether we should play unselfishly and together the best free throw shooter in the history of the NBA knocks down a couple is equals the largest lead of the game nine point Advantage Lakers with 30 seconds to go all right Bryant with another 14 assists game back to back but still with a big bucket you're down the stretch the final minute Brian now eight of 12 from the field he's got 21 points to go with a 14 assist and the Lakers right now with a nine point cushion with a half minute to go [Music] Durant drives not ball deflected and it touched the Baseline so the Thunder will inbound once again we're at with 35 points on the night we needed to shoot his normal percentage [Music] right now his team looks like they'll come up Shores Durant gets inside misses fight for the rebound picked up taking by World Peace and the Laker fans starting to celebrate he'll just dribble it out biggest win of the season for the Lakers it's only two in a row but what a start and a standing ovation here at the Staples Center [Music] a superb performance of Kobe Bryant 21 points and for the second straight game 14 assists well the final score of the Lakers 105. and the Thunder 96. for Jeff Van Gundy Lisa Salters producer Tim Corrigan director Jimmy Warren our outstanding ABC crew Mike Prince said come up next ABC World News or your local news coming up except on the west coast good afternoon from Los Angeles

Channel: RavenousWolf

Views: 211,179

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Id: buG82MHPwkQ

Length: 107min 30sec (6450 seconds)

Published: Mon Dec 26 2022