Los Angeles Lakers: 4 Lessons in an embarrassing OT win over OKC

Feb 8, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers coach Frank Vogel (right) greets forward LeBron James (23) during a timeout against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second half at Staples Center. The Lakers defeated the Thunder 119-112 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-A TODAY Sports
Feb 8, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers coach Frank Vogel (right) greets forward LeBron James (23) during a timeout against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second half at Staples Center. The Lakers defeated the Thunder 119-112 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-A TODAY Sports /
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Los Angeles Lakers
Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-A TODAY Sports /

The Los Angeles Lakers bench will probably be the third guy on the Los Angeles Lakers!

The tired media narrative of “Who’s going to be the third scorer”  is over as far as Lake Show Life is concerned. It’s the bench. This collection of players poured in 56 points. In retrospect, it’s hard for OKC to have a bench with only three players, but still. One player stood out because he hadn’t been seen for four games!

Wesley Matthews:

This was Wesley Matthews’ first game since Jan. 28 which spans about two weeks. With Alex Caruso’s injury the only reason for him even touching the floor, it would be easy to understand if Matthews had attitude. Instead, he scored 16 points off of the bench, shooting a lights out 5-7 from the field and 4-5 from behind the arc. One of those long-distance shots put the game away in overtime.

This was a major show of character for Wesley Matthews. Congratulations from Lake Show Life.

Kyle Kuzma:

Wow, we thought Dennis Schroder had his inconsistencies. Kyle Kuzma finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Five of those were on the offensive end. What was the problem? Man, this dude couldn’t throw it in the Pacific Ocean if he was standing underwater from behind the arc. He shot 1-9 from distance and 5-16 overall.

Talen Horton-Tucker:

This guy is fearless. The next few months will be interesting with the conspiracy theories about his free agency status. Can he stay focused with his name in the rumor mill? But for now, this dude just goes out on the floor and puts in work.

Eventually, THT will have to find a left hand for that layup, but his patented move with the right-hand sure looks sweet every time he showcases it. He finished with 8 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks in 27 minutes.

The two teams run it back Wednesday night at the Staples Center. Hopefully, the Lakers will do the Lake Show Life staff a favor and keep it to 48 minutes.

Lake Show Life has extended its post-game coverage this season! There will be short post-game reports shortly after the game in addition to the extended post-game of Lake Show Life Lessons! 

More championship coverage for championship fans.