It is back to the basics for the Los Angeles Lakers after another disappointing loss in Game 2 of the series against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Despite dropping Thursday night's 125-107 contest on the road, there were encouraging moments and stretches that offered hope. Even so, the controllables continue to stand out as areas in need of added focus.
JJ Redick said: "You can start seeing some trends here. We probably need to go back to the two keys we had against Houston, which is take care of the ball and box out, because it's not on high volume, but they've killed us in both games. Every time they've gotten an offensive rebound, they've scored."
To Redick's first point, turnovers have definitely been an issue. In Game 1, the Lakers gave away 18 turnovers and that led to 20 points being conceded off those giveaways. In Game 2, those numbers went up to 21 turnovers and 26 points conceded off them.
To Redick's second point, the Lakers may have only surrendered nine offensive rebounds in Game 1, but they gave up 21 second chance points. In Game 2, it was nine offensive rebounds again and 17 second chance points. The big part there being that Los Angeles lost that second-chance category in both of those matchups.
Lakers are still giftwrapping easy points to their opponents
There is a long list of reasons as to why the Thunder are already a difficult team to beat without gifting them extra opportunities to beat you. The Lakers have fought well in a lot of regards, but this has certainly not been one of them.
Redick's game plans have been excellent. It about the players executing from here.
Both Game 1 and Game 2 felt pretty winnable for the Lakers, despite what the final score says. The Thunder have not looked indestructible en route to a 2-0 series lead.
Heading back to Los Angeles, there are a lot of positives emerging for the Lakers. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been largely contained for two games. Austin Reaves got his mojo back in Game 2. Rui Hachimura continues to shoot the lights out. That is only the tip of the iceberg.
Where the Lakers have allowed the Thunder to separate themselves is areas like the ones Redick mentioned. There is a disparity in the depth, too, but that aspect is not something Los Angeles can control at this stage.
Turnovers and second chance points are both containable, on the other hand. If the Lakers want to even up this series at home, it starts there.
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