Los Angeles Lakers: 3 Lessons from the win over Oklahoma City Thunder

KCP led a 3-point barrage that quieted the Thunder throughout the game! 

The Lakers won this game basically because of the 3-point shot. If this team can come anywhere close to knocking down 17-of-31 3 point shots (54.8%) while staying healthy, it’s time to start scheduling the parade.

Most of these 3-point opportunities are being set up by James. The team had a field day knocking down shots from the left corner. Most of the plays were set up by the Thunder trying to double team and James hitting the weak side for teammates to get shots.

In this play here, the entire Thunder team was drawn into the paint leaving Alex Caruso wide open for the corner 3. Time and time again, the Lakers exploited this area of the floor.

KCP’s jump shot has come back from the dead. Literally. Now the man can’t miss from behind the arc. After dropping 4-of-5 shots from the land of the extra point, Caldwell-Pope is now shooting 62.5% from 3-point land over the last four contests. With Avery Bradley still sidelined with a hairline fracture, Caldwell-Pope has taken full advantage of what might have been his last chance to stay in the rotation and in the NBA.

He’s balling folks. KCP scored 17 points on only 9 shots. He also had 5 rebounds and is making plays for his teammates.

Now that he’s hitting the outside shot, it opens up the entire offense for not only himself but the big men. When he blows by Schroder, KCP draws the defense and throws the lob to Dwight Howard for the slam.

A special shout out to Frank Vogel for some advice he gave AD, courtesy of ESPN.

"“Coach told me to stop hesitating,” Davis said. “When I hesitate, I’m going to come up short or [have] a bad miss. I feel like if I’m open I’m going to shoot it. No hesitation. And seems to go in a lot more when I’m not hesitating.”"

The NBA has been warned.

Danny Green also had 14 points knocking down huge 3-point shots to keep the Lakers ahead while playing solid defense. But the Lakers bench is really coming along. They contributed 35 points led by Dwight Howard and Kyle Kuzma, sporting some fly goggles. They both finished with 10 points apiece.

The Lakers play again Saturday taking on the Memphis Grizzlies. Tip off is at 8:00 PM EST and 5:00 PM PST.