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00:00ESPN on ABC.
00:30To see succeed, that should make you feel something.
00:42We play against the defending champions.
00:44We know what they're capable of doing.
00:50The Thunder are one of the greatest teams ever.
00:52That's just the reality.
00:54Ha-ha! LeBron James throwing it down!
00:57LeBron has been in this situation more than anybody in the history of the NBA.
01:01We don't take them lightly.
01:02We're bound to well.
01:04Keep the main thing the main thing.
01:05Hide me! Hide me! Hide me!
01:12It's the Los Angeles Lakers and the Oklahoma City Thunder on a beautiful day in L.A.
01:18Game 3 tonight, Game 4 on Monday.
01:21As the Lakers look to get back in the series.
01:24Take a look at our playoff tracker brought to you by Progressive.
01:30Elsewhere in the West, San Antonio winning last night to take a 2-1 lead over Minnesota.
01:35Cleveland back in the series with a win today.
01:37And the Knicks on ABC tomorrow go for the sweep.
01:40And their second straight appearance in the conference finals.
01:45Teams that have a 2-0 lead in a best-of-seven series, 92% of the time go on
01:51to win the series.
01:53It's only happened 34 times where a team that's trailed 0-2 has come back to win.
01:58LeBron James has done it three times.
02:01This is the 11th time he's been down 0-2.
02:04He is 3-7 coming into Game 3.
02:08And James has had a brilliant postseason.
02:12And his 19th appearance in the playoffs.
02:19It is career playoff game number 301 for James.
02:23That is more than 17 NBA teams.
02:50James had 27 points in Game 1, 23 points in Game 2.
02:59As we look at our starting lineup brought to you by Popeyes, James will be joined by Hachimura, Aiton, Reeves,
03:06and Smart.
03:06Luka Doncic is still out.
03:10He has not played since April 2nd against Oklahoma City.
03:16Meanwhile, for the Thunder, no Jalen Williams again.
03:21And so it will be A.J. Mitchell along with Shea Gilgis-Alexander, Hartenstein-Holmgren, and Dort.
03:29Shea Gilgis-Alexander averaging 29 points per game in the playoffs.
03:36And the Lakers will start with possession.
03:38No foul, I believe, on the jump ball.
03:41Chet took a pretty good shot to the face.
03:47So, one second has come off the clock, and we already have a foul.
03:52And it's going to be on Aiton right there.
03:54Yeah, with the left hand.
03:59Well, officiating has been the centerpiece of a lot of discussion in the last 36 hours regarding the NBA playoffs.
04:05You heard Monty McCutcheon on with the guys in the pregame show, and already we have a foul a second
04:11into the game.
04:11As Holmgren drives, trying to get Aiton to pick up that second foul.
04:14And a traveling violation, says James Capers, in his 31st year as an NBA official.
04:21Works 17 finals in his great career.
04:24But Chet has the off-the-bounce game.
04:26So, give Aiton credit for standing him up and making that tough.
04:31Curtis Blair just pictured a moment ago, and Ed Molloy, the other two officials, joining Capers tonight.
04:37Austin Reeves, 31 points, a career playoff high two nights ago.
04:42James attacking, behind the back pass, and a three ball.
04:46Hachimura on target.
04:47He has been special in the playoffs as a three-point shooter, around 60%.
04:58Mitchell stripped by Smart.
05:03Now Dort looking for a driving lane.
05:05It's not there.
05:07Dort will stop just inside the foul line and score.
05:10He's averaging just four points per game so far in the first two games of the series.
05:22Thunder, 8-0 all time since moving to Oklahoma City in 2009, when they have a 2-0 series lead.
05:28Reeves fires three off the rim.
05:30So far in the playoffs, Reeves just five for 24 from three-point range.
05:36Hardenstein, nice feed by Shea Gilgis-Alexander.
05:46He's just building remarkably quiet for a playoff game.
05:50It was like that in the closeout game against Houston.
05:53A potential closeout game in game four.
05:55That ended up going six games, and the Lakers eventually won.
05:58A turnover by Reeves.
06:01Thunder with a one-point lead.
06:02Two minutes gone by.
06:03Mitchell on the drive.
06:05James fronting Hardenstein.
06:07A lot of physicality.
06:08Off the ball.
06:10Backdoor cut.
06:11SGA.
06:11Nice feed underneath.
06:12And Holmgren with the slam.
06:146-3 OKC.
06:15You take a look at Shea Gilgis-Alexander's passing on the first two possessions.
06:21Setting up teammates for quality shots.
06:24And all their points in the paint.
06:26Reeves having trouble with Mitchell defending him, greeting him at midcourt.
06:30Prior to that 31-point game, Reeves had really struggled.
06:33Now he missed the first couple of games of the postseason due to a oblique strain.
06:38As James is on the board with the basket in the lane.
06:41Well, they got the switch.
06:42They get Lou Dort off his body.
06:44Now you got the much smaller Mitchell.
06:46And that's easy money for the game.
06:50Hardenstein.
06:51That push shot.
06:52He's got down.
06:53And Hardenstein with the bucket is second.
06:56It is not something that he leveraged a ton in the regular season, that floater.
07:01But as the season has worn on, he's got a little bit more to it.
07:06OKC.
07:064-4 from the floor.
07:08The Lakers 2-3.
07:09Smart off the James screen.
07:11Drives into the paint.
07:12Out to Reeves.
07:13He'll let it fly.
07:14And again, no good on the triple try.
07:16Ayton keeping it alive.
07:17Hardenstein hits the deck.
07:19And it's Thunderball.
07:21Dort racing down floor.
07:23Attacking.
07:23Missing the shot.
07:24Nice job by Holmgren who hits the deck hard.
07:27But gets the stick back there.
07:305 of 6 from the floor.
07:33And a 5-point lead.
07:34Smart corner triple try.
07:36Good.
07:37So you touched on some things in the open about LeBron.
07:41There's a guy who can make four or five threes for you.
07:45It's not often, but they're going to need it from Smart.
07:47He's 4-for-16 now in the series.
07:49A kick by Ayton on that attempted entry pass for Hartenstein.
07:54So the Lakers are obviously going to send a lot in Shea Gilgis-Alexander's direction.
07:59Leveraging that little mid-range jump shot that's so good into an assist.
08:05And again, look at the kind of attention drawn, back cut by Chet.
08:11Two assists for Gilgis-Alexander.
08:13He hasn't taken a shot yet.
08:14This is Mitchell's first shot.
08:15The three no good.
08:17Hartenstein with the rebound.
08:19But then he throws it away.
08:20Trying to throw it behind the back pass.
08:23James with the catch.
08:24Oh, he missed the layup though.
08:26Good pass by Reese.
08:27But out of bounds.
08:28Off the Thunder.
08:35So Austin and LeBron come together after this.
08:40It's not often you see the King miss an opportunity like that.
08:44Here's a lock for Ayton.
08:46And he makes sure of it.
08:47He slams it down to tie the game at 10.
08:50Can Ayton be more aggressive?
08:51Just one basket in game three.
08:53And he's had some good playoff games in his career.
08:56As the Thunder call a timeout.
09:00Four minutes and seven seconds in.
09:02I'll leave it at 10.
09:04DeAndre Ayton going to be the beneficiary of a good pass.
09:07Austin Reeves off two screens into the lob directly.
09:16By Burger King.
09:17Shea Gilgis-Alexander went on the floor.
09:20The Thunder pretty good in this series.
09:21Plus 14.
09:22But when he's off, they're plus 22.
09:24They had a 22-4 run to pull away in game two.
09:28While he was on the bench.
09:29And they went into that stretch.
09:31Trailing by five.
09:32When SGA picked up his fourth personal foul.
09:36To me what it does is it draws sharp focus into A.J. Mitchell.
09:40And I think one of the things they learned in the seven game series against Denver.
09:44And also against Indiana.
09:45They were desperate for secondary playmaking.
09:48A.J. Mitchell's presence changes out.
09:52Missed three.
09:53Rebound by James.
09:54Mitchell averaged seven minutes per game.
09:56In the playoffs last year.
09:57Played a total of 20 minutes in the finals.
10:00This year for a while he looked like the most improved player in the NBA.
10:04Just didn't play enough games because of injuries.
10:07He's starting again for Jalen Williams.
10:09He's called for a foul here.
10:10Trying to defend Austin Reeves 35 feet away from the basket.
10:13Check in with George.
10:14Guys our Ramona Shelburne reported that they found A.J. Mitchell as they were scouting someone else while he was
10:20at UC Santa Barbara.
10:21I asked Mark Degnell about that.
10:22And he said well that's more of a Sam Presti question.
10:25But he did remember a story about how Sam approached him and said hey I think I found a guy
10:29that not anyone is on at this point.
10:31So Mark Degnell did what every NBA fan does.
10:33When he told him about A.J. Mitchell he went down a YouTube rabbit hole Dave and DB.
10:37And boy as James knocks down the jumper.
10:40Has that been a great find again by Presti and the Thunder.
10:43Under Mitchell in his second year from Belgium originally and played at UCSB before being a second round pick.
10:50James with four points to lead the Lakers.
10:54Four points for Holmgren and Hartstein apiece.
10:56Jalen Williams corner three.
10:58It's good.
11:02He had two threes in game two.
11:05And the Thunder lead by one.
11:11Reeves puts it on the floor and misses the layup.
11:14He's 0 for 3 to start the game.
11:19Williams nice feed Holmgren with the easy two.
11:22So they are 6 for 7 in the paint.
11:24And the vast majority of the 9 or 10 shots they've taken have come from right there.
11:32Restricted area paint shots.
11:36Reeves.
11:39Another miss.
11:40A rough start but an offensive rebound by Aiton.
11:44James will fake the three.
11:45Get fouled and put it up.
11:47Off the front iron.
11:48No.
11:48And Ed Molloy going to say it was before the shooting motion.
11:53And that's why it's a side out of bounds.
11:55This is.
11:55If you listen to the pregame show with Monty McCutcheon.
11:58This is exactly what he was talking about.
12:00As James looked over to us.
12:02But no.
12:03He was not in his shooting motion.
12:06Therefore.
12:07It is a side out of bounds.
12:13So the up fake.
12:14Gets the defender off the feet.
12:16Contact obviously comes.
12:18But he was not loading again.
12:22Shot clock down to 10.
12:23Bad spacing there.
12:24Here's James.
12:26Timer at 7.
12:27Kennard setting the screen.
12:28James defended by Dort with 4.
12:30Backing him down.
12:31Working through the paint.
12:32Puts up the shot.
12:33No.
12:34And Hachimura.
12:35Offensive rebound.
12:42James really aggressive.
12:43Looking to score early on in this game.
12:45Goes to the left hand.
12:46He's short.
12:47Aiton missed the tip.
12:48Right at point blank range.
12:50Lakers are.
12:51They've had some good looks.
12:52Austin Reeves.
12:53That last three was great.
12:54What a shake by Shea.
12:56Blew the layup.
12:56But what an incredible move.
12:57You rarely see him airball it on a layup.
13:01Hachimura will pop for three.
13:03Another triple for Rui.
13:05He ties it up at 15 on his second three ball.
13:08This guy has been unbelievable all year.
13:13Another great drive by Gilgis Alexander and this time the finish.
13:22Five minutes to go in the opening quarter.
13:24Oklahoma City by two.
13:29Wallace trying to defend James.
13:30It goes back door.
13:32Qadar corner three.
13:34Around and out.
13:35Rebound Williams.
13:36Qadar after scoring 50 points in games one and two of the first round combined.
13:42Has been unable to get unlocked.
13:44His role has changed a little bit though with Austin Reeves return.
13:47And it's Reeves that picks up the foul there.
13:49His first and the second team foul.
13:51So the Lakers are three for seven from three.
13:54And Rui has been a primary driver.
13:56But on the opposite end.
13:58To me Dave.
13:59Too much is happening too easily in the paint for Oklahoma City.
14:02That left handed inside out dribble that you talked about.
14:05With the weak hand.
14:07You do not see that often.
14:1014 to 4.
14:11Points in the paint.
14:12In favor of the Thunder.
14:13As Gilgis Alexander at the line for the first time tonight.
14:20The reigning MVP.
14:22Only three players in NBA history have won MVP and a championship in consecutive years.
14:28Bill Russell, Michael Jordan, and LeBron James.
14:31The MVP winner for this year has not been announced.
14:34But the assumption is SGA will win it again.
14:37They have yet to lose here in the postseason.
14:396-0 coming in as James gets a breather.
14:41If I were voting, that would be my MVP pick.
14:45I mean, no guard in history has averaged what he averaged on 55% shooting.
14:49And consider he's absorbing the best defense.
14:52The vast majority of the schemes sent in his direction.
14:55And he performed every night.
14:58Holmgren with the swat.
14:59The runner-up for defensive player of the year behind Victor Wemby-Yama.
15:03Lakers will keep possession.
15:04Folks, don't lose sight of the fact of how good this guy is defensively.
15:08I know Wemby was the unanimous defensive player of the year.
15:11That guy has been extraordinary.
15:14Lakers just 2 of 8 in the paint.
15:16Smart gets knocked to the ground.
15:18Kennard finds a lane and catches the ball and puts it in.
15:22As Mark Dignall thought there should have been a foul underneath on the Lakers on the inbound pass.
15:26So Mark is smart denying Shea Gildress Alexander.
15:28He's pushing up into full court pressure to limit his touches.
15:32And that opens up something on the opposite side of the floor.
15:35First points for Case and Wallace.
15:37Thunder by 4.
15:38Nearing 4 minutes to go.
15:41Hachimura faked the 3 this time.
15:42Now the step back long 2.
15:44That one no good.
15:45Rebound Williams.
15:49Lakers shooting 39%.
15:51The Thunder 69% in the opening quarter.
15:54Wallace swing to the corner.
15:56Holmgren back to Wallace.
15:57He'll try the 3.
15:58And got it.
16:00Case and Wallace.
16:01Who's shooting 37% from 3 in the playoffs.
16:05Stretches the lead to 7.
16:06Timeout Lakers.
16:08Oklahoma City just taking what the game gives them.
16:12You're denying Shea Gildress Alexander.
16:14So up the floor comes Case and Wallace.
16:16Just one-on-one against Luke Kennard.
16:19No contest.
16:20And then the pitch by Chet to an open Wallace.
16:29The Oklahoma City Thunder as deep as anybody in the NBA.
16:32Already 8 bench points out of the 24 scored for the Thunder in this first quarter.
16:37Well their depth is elite.
16:39And it comes in a lot of different forms.
16:40Jalen Williams has put together an outstanding season.
16:44He can stretch it from deep.
16:45And Chet Holmgren going to make the extra pass here.
16:48Case and Wallace.
16:50Known as a defender.
16:51But look at him.
16:52They leave him on guard and he makes them pay.
16:54If you want to dive deeper into this or any NBA playoffs topic.
16:58Ask AI Mode in Google search.
17:00Lakers have got to be better defensively.
17:0314 field goal attempts for Oklahoma City, Dave.
17:0510 in the paint.
17:06The bigs for Oklahoma City are 5-4-5.
17:10Most of these are right in the restricted area.
17:14They have 16 paint points.
17:16The Lakers have 17 points total.
17:18And Reeves continues to struggle.
17:200 for 5 and 0 for 4 from 3.
17:23Second chance opportunity though.
17:25And smart 3 no good.
17:27And Isaiah Joe with the clear.
17:30With James on the bench.
17:31Reeves has to score.
17:33And that's not happening.
17:33A turnover by SGA.
17:35He had 7 in one of the 2 games in this series.
17:38Looks a little shaken at 2.
17:40Hayes down court.
17:41A blocking foul is called.
17:42As Jalen Williams picks up the personal.
17:46And that turnover right there.
17:48Marcus smart again.
17:49He's picking up 94 feet.
17:52He's trying to get a little bit of pace into Shea's game.
17:56And then the defense was there to meet him on that.
17:59And SGA there holding and rubbing that right quad.
18:06Reeves downhill.
18:07And a foul is called as Reeves hits the floor.
18:11So 2 quick fouls on the Thunder.
18:143 team fouls.
18:16So this is what I'm talking about.
18:18And this is something they've done.
18:19Their pickup point with him has been early.
18:22Marcus is denying him.
18:24And you see the turnover and the bump he took.
18:28Chance for Reeves to get on the board.
18:31He does have 4 assists.
18:32But that's his first point of the game.
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18:46And Reeves misses the second free throw.
18:48Is an 89% foul shooter so far in the playoffs.
18:52Missed 31 games during the regular season.
18:56He was having a terrific season before the first injury.
19:00But has yet to find a rhythm other than what he did in the last game.
19:04Gilgis Alexander, no.
19:06And rebounded by Reeves.
19:08Lakers just 2 for their last 12.
19:10They trail by 6 with 2.43 to go in the first quarter.
19:15Caruso hounding Reeves off the ball.
19:18Wallace defending smart.
19:19Who drives, bodies him, pulls up, and misses again.
19:26Caruso, the former Laker.
19:29Helped them win a championship in the bottle in 2020.
19:32Great pass, Jalen Williams.
19:33Joe kicks it out.
19:34Wallace's 3 is there.
19:36And the lead is now 9 for Oklahoma City here in Game 3.
19:44It's a 12-3 Thunder run over the last three minutes.
19:53Reeves goes and gets it.
19:55Dribbles into the lane.
19:57Hangs and kicks.
19:57Hachimura.
19:58Got a 3.
19:59That's three first quarter triples for Hachimura.
20:02And that's why Austin Reeves' downhill matters.
20:05Not only for him can he score off his downhill drives,
20:09but can he make the right rim read as he did there and find the hot shooter.
20:15Wallace is the hot shooter for Oklahoma City.
20:17Gilgis Alexander misses the pull-up.
20:19Got it back.
20:20Got hammered by Reeves.
20:24So in the modern NBA, right, and any level of basketball,
20:27you're trying to touch the paint.
20:29Get two feet in the paint because inevitably defense collapses somewhere.
20:33There's an open shooter.
20:34So Oklahoma City gives you one.
20:35Now you set Austin Reeves downhill, the right read at the rim,
20:40to the best shooter on the floor for the Lakers.
20:42That's rude.
20:45Foul was called on Hayes.
20:47Gilgis Alexander hits the first free throw.
20:49LeBron James going to check in.
20:50And a due Thero, who played just six minutes and had three rebounds in game two,
20:55he's going to get an opportunity to play here late in the first quarter.
20:59Reeves will go to the bench.
21:03Thero, a rookie out of Arkansas, second-round pick,
21:06only played 25 games during the season.
21:09This free throw by SGA.
21:11Thero able to get the loose ball and take it away by Joe.
21:14Wallace hits another one.
21:17Kaysen Wallace, 4 of 4, and 3 of 3 from behind the arc.
21:25The lead is 10 as Smart drives.
21:27Leaves it for Hayes.
21:28And Hayes is fouled.
21:31Artenstein commits his first.
21:34And the Thunder over the limit.
21:36Free throws for Jackson Hayes.
21:39So, we talk about winning on the margins.
21:41Little miss here.
21:42You don't command the rebound off of this, or you'd command it briefly,
21:46but you don't protect the basketball.
21:48It leads to a three.
21:50Those are brutal against a team that's going to naturally put pressure on
21:54and turn you over anyway.
22:05One out of two for Hayes.
22:07Rebound Joe.
22:08Approaching a minute to go in the first quarter.
22:12Oklahoma City leading by nine.
22:16That was kicked by Smart as Gilgis-Alexander went for the back cut.
22:20He is just attached to the jersey of Shea Gilgis-Alexander.
22:26He's pushed up to full court pressure.
22:28He's denied catches.
22:29He's just trying to take him out.
22:38Gilgis-Alexander just one for four.
22:41The rest of the team is 11 of 14.
22:43SGA can't hit the three, and James with the rebound.
22:46He'll look to push.
22:49Here's Smart.
22:51One for four.
22:52Three points.
22:54And Artenstein, good hands, breaks up that pass.
22:57Thunder looking to run.
22:58They don't have numbers.
22:59Joe Gilgis-Alexander stops, pops, hits the back iron,
23:02then the front rim, and it pinballs to Joe.
23:05His shot no good.
23:06Loose ball.
23:07SGA's got it.
23:08The lob off target.
23:10Hardenstein collects.
23:11Can't finish.
23:12Rebound Smart.
23:14And a baseball pass down court.
23:16Somehow caught by James.
23:18And gets it to Kinnard, who takes a three.
23:21And nails a three.
23:24Despite mostly a struggle this opening quarter,
23:27shooting the ball for the Lakers,
23:28they're only down six.
23:30I like what they're doing defensively.
23:31Almost feels a little box-in-one-ish.
23:35Shea is looking at a lot of white jerseys,
23:38but he's got the ball top of the floor.
23:40Gilgis-Alexander stops at the three-point line.
23:43His three no good.
23:44James rebounds.
23:45They have time.
23:46James takes the shot with two seconds left.
23:48And now Theroux picks it up.
23:50But the buzzer sounds.
23:53And the Thunder lead by six after one.
23:55Well, it felt in stretches like the Lakers were working so hard.
23:59But amazing when you cover a lot of ground.
24:02Thankfully, you complete the pass.
24:04You reverse the basketball, and Kinnard gets a good look.
24:13Of the OKC Thunder, you guys have done a really good job on Reeves
24:17after he had a strong game last game.
24:18What's the strategy with Reeves?
24:21Not keying in on anybody too much individually.
24:25Understanding that they're a really good team
24:26with a lot of really good players, not just Reeves.
24:28And, you know, we have to play our team style of defense
24:31and make sure that we execute all over the floor.
24:33Kaysen Wallace has led you guys in scoring thus far.
24:36What's allowed him to have so much success?
24:39You know, Kaysen Wallace being Kaysen Wallace.
24:43Check.
24:44He's ready to play, make shots, and that's what we're seeing.
24:46All right, Chet. Good luck. Thank you.
24:48Guys?
24:48Yeah, George Wallace, three of three from three,
24:51but Luke Kinnard with two threes,
24:53and he's got back-to-back triples
24:55as Theroux is called for goaltending,
24:58count the basket for Mitchell.
24:59But, boy, do the Lakers need more of this from Luke Kinnard.
25:04Well, downhill for A.J. Mitchell.
25:05He's going to get it off the window quickly,
25:07knowing P. Rowe is trailing him.
25:10It's interesting to me, Maxi Kleba on the floor and Theroux.
25:14So, J.J. Redick clearly searching for something in his front court.
25:18Cleveland played just his second game of the postseason.
25:21Played in game four against Houston.
25:23That's it.
25:24James swing.
25:26Reeves straight on three.
25:27Finally!
25:29First field goal of the night for Reeves,
25:32and it's a two-point game.
25:33So, 21 of the Lakers' 31 points are coming from the three-point arc.
25:38Remember, it is something Oklahoma City does.
25:40They are willing to give up threes to protect the paint.
25:44Mitchell, one on three, missed the shot, out of bounds to the Lakers.
25:49So, ball movement happens.
25:50Kinnard gets downhill, gets the ball to LeBron.
25:54A very quick touch pass, and that has to feel great for Austin Reeves,
25:59because he's had an open look before in this game, gets that one to go.
26:03The Lakers are 7 of 14 from three,
26:06and 4 of 12 from inside the three-point arc.
26:10That's why they're even in this game.
26:12Hachimura really saved him in the first half.
26:14Terrible pass by Reeves, and then a turnover,
26:16as Cleva has it picked off by Caruso.
26:20Here's Jared McCain, the hero of Game 2, picks up where he left off.
26:24Jared McCain, who had eight points in the third quarter,
26:2818 for the game, to lead the Thunder the other night.
26:31But we'll track this, right?
26:32These are non-SGA minutes, and McCain has been outstanding in those.
26:37McCain, who grew up in Corona, California, a Laker fan growing up,
26:42got traded to the Thunder by Philly at the deadline.
26:44James with five to shoot, faces up, working on Holmgren,
26:48driving baseline, feeds Cleva, couldn't handle the pass.
26:52And a shot clock violation, OKC ball.
26:55That's Chet Holmgren getting a guard out of a tough matchup,
27:00with Jared McCain on the other end of the floor,
27:03checks in, he is shot ready.
27:06Had he played 15 seconds yet at that point.
27:09He is 9 for 11 from 3 in this series, McCain.
27:15Trying to get some airspace, can't get the shot off.
27:18Shot clock inside at 10 for Oklahoma City.
27:21Thunder lead by 5.
27:22Mitchell, drive and kick.
27:23Now Holmgren on the deck, pulls up with a jumper.
27:26That's good for Chet Holmgren.
27:28This is why his off-the-bounce game matters.
27:30That's a right-handed shooter at 7 foot, going to his left,
27:33and getting back to his rhythm and his balance, pretty impressive.
27:41And an offensive foul called on the screen as Cleva knocks down Mitchell.
27:45That is Cleva's first.
27:48So Cleva has been on the floor for three minutes,
27:51and has fumbled the ball away, made a bad pass,
27:54and now a turnover with a foul.
27:55Rui comes back in, Fero out.
27:58We'll see how long J.J. Redick gives Maxi Cleva here.
28:06Three turnovers in less than three minutes by the Lakers in this quarter.
28:10The 5-0 run right now by the Thunder after L.A. pulled within two.
28:15Hartenstein with the bounce.
28:16Got deep.
28:17Finds Holmgren.
28:18Three no good.
28:19A loose ball foul underneath on the Lakers.
28:22Got to go on Reeves.
28:23That is two on him.
28:25First foul on L.A. in the quarter.
28:32He was trying to contend Reeves with A.J. Mitchell,
28:36who was trying to position himself on the weak side of the glass for rebounding.
28:42Thunder lead the series 2-0.
28:43Game 4 is Monday.
28:45Winner to play either the Spurs or Wolves.
28:47San Antonio up 2-1 in that series.
28:49Nice drive.
28:50Mitchell with the bank shot.
28:52That's going to be a difficult matchup for Cleva.
28:56Mitchell is an attack player.
28:58He's a catch-and-go guy.
28:59For Cleva to stay in front will be a challenge.
29:03Seven straight points by the Thunder.
29:05Reeves in the lane.
29:06No look.
29:06Pass underneath.
29:07Hachimura with the slam.
29:12And Mitchell, racing down floor.
29:14Finds an open.
29:15Caruso can't nail the three.
29:23Reeves.
29:25Mitchell will stay with him.
29:28Now Kennard.
29:29Swing to James.
29:30Open three.
29:32No good for James.
29:34And Holmgren's got it.
29:35He'll shovel it to Caruso.
29:40Hartenstein.
29:41And he just lost the ball.
29:43Boy, McCain was wide open on the opposite side.
29:45And they're saying that was off the Lakers.
29:47But I think James Capers and Ed Beloy will have a conference and change the call.
29:53Yep.
29:54Thunder basketball.
29:55This is five on four, keep in mind.
29:58And you're right.
29:58Hartenstein just loses track of the basketball.
30:01Cleva, as you see, comes into the picture late.
30:03That's five on four.
30:05They blow a great opportunity.
30:08Oklahoma City shooting 53%.
30:10The Lakers 43%.
30:12Yet only down seven.
30:13Four minutes into the second quarter.
30:15Must win game.
30:16No team has ever come back from the three-nothing deficit to win a best-of-seven series.
30:22Shot clock at five.
30:23Kennard to James.
30:24Broken up Caruso.
30:25James touched past Kennard.
30:27One to shoot.
30:27Kennard through the lane.
30:28Puts it up.
30:29And gets the bounce.
30:31As soon as he arrived here, J.J. Reddick said Kennard is more than just a three-point shooter.
30:36He has attacked multiple closeouts and done a good job in both.
30:41Kennard's got ten.
30:42Holmgren puts it on the floor.
30:44Now double.
30:45Able to split the double and get the basket.
30:48Nice move by Holmgren.
30:49And Reeves is really upset.
30:50It feels like Reeves is highly involved in the officials right now.
30:56Frustrated on both ends with them.
30:58Was very upset with John Goble.
31:01Thought he was disrespected the other night.
31:05In game two, as James three is gone.
31:08LeBron James' first three.
31:10He's got seven points.
31:12Back to a four-point game.
31:17Mitchell faked the three.
31:19Now drives.
31:20Bounce to Hartenstein.
31:21The lob to Holmgren who collects and slams it.
31:24Those two have a nice connection.
31:27And we know Isaiah likes to distribute the basketball.
31:33Holmgren's had a great series.
31:35He's six of eight so far tonight.
31:37Reeves.
31:38Hachimura.
31:39Drills another three.
31:40His fourth of the first half.
31:47Reeves has got seven assists.
31:50I know he's not making shots, but he is getting by, guys, and that matters.
31:55Timeout.
31:56Oklahoma City.
31:58Lakers back within three because of Hachimura.
32:04The NBA Conference Semifinals on ABC are delivered by Chipotle.
32:09Real ingredients.
32:10Real flavor.
32:12Chipotle.
32:12For real.
32:15Rui Hachimura providing one of the most valuable skills any team can have.
32:19Look at what he has done over the last 13 games from three.
32:24Fifty-eight percent.
32:25He's been above 50 percent in all 13.
32:29Yes, he's getting some open looks off the play of other guys.
32:32But tonight, he is four for more.
32:36How about this?
32:37Marcus Smart a little behind the back.
32:38Check.
32:39A little bit late on the closeout.
32:40Now walking into a three.
32:42Austin Reeves finds him.
32:43So on three of these four, Austin has been the assist guy.
32:48His ability to get downhill.
32:49Draw defenders.
32:50You see the first priority for OKC is take away the paint.
32:55That means Rui's going to get some good looks.
32:57Kyojas Alexander back on the floor.
32:59Misses the shot.
33:00Rebound James.
33:01He's got five boards to go with seven points and four assists.
33:04But the Lakers turn it back over.
33:08A trailer three.
33:10No good again.
33:11But a foul inside on the Lakers as Chad Holmgren's on the ground.
33:17Going to be on Smart.
33:21That's his first.
33:23Team second.
33:25So Marcus trying to contend with Chad.
33:28Just the extension of the arm.
33:29A level of physicality.
33:32But Shea just misses an open three.
33:35He just has not been himself yet.
33:40Holmgren's three off the side of the rim.
33:42To your point, SGA has missed his last seven shots.
33:44He's one for nine.
33:45Lakers have a chance to tie it with a three.
33:55James launches and connects on a three to tie it up.
34:01Wow.
34:02They are 10 for 18.
34:05The question is, can you sustain this level of shooting for the entire 48th?
34:11Kyojas Alexander comes back with an answer.
34:15Just his second bucket.
34:18He's got eight points.
34:20Lakers trying to get back in the series.
34:23Down 2-0.
34:24Here's Aiton who's got two points in 10 minutes.
34:27James on the catch.
34:28Out to Hachimura.
34:30Shot clock inside of 10.
34:32James on the face up with Dort right in his grill.
34:35James gets past him now.
34:37Missed the shot.
34:37And rebounded by Gildas Alexander.
34:40Smart with a great hustle.
34:45James for three.
34:47Rebound Holmgren.
34:48That might have finally gotten the crowd involved as James picks up the foul.
34:53His first third team foul.
34:57Lakers are 10 for 19 from three.
35:00LeBron is two for five.
35:02He's sizing up J. Will right in front of him.
35:04Just going to get into that rhythm.
35:06How many times have we seen him shoot the three from that side of the floor with that exact shot?
35:12And then Kennard gets screened off.
35:15That means the big's on him.
35:16He dances that one little foot.
35:18Hard dribble back into his rhythm.
35:21Three-point Oklahoma City lead with four and a half to go in the second quarter.
35:29Gildas Alexander's got the big eight and on him on the switch.
35:31A step back triple try.
35:33Front rimmed it.
35:33Rebound Reeves.
35:39Here's Reeves who's got seven assists.
35:41One turnover.
35:42Reeves blocked by Gildas Alexander.
35:44Out of bounds.
35:49So, I think, obviously, you'd like to involve Shea.
35:52You want to make him work on this side.
35:54So, Austin, I think, appropriately attacks.
35:56He's got one guy to beat.
35:58But your best player is highly engaged.
36:00Is he their best defensive player?
36:03No.
36:03But does he work as part of the group?
36:06You bet.
36:07Lob the Hachimura.
36:09Foul line catch.
36:10He'll back up.
36:11Fire and spins out.
36:12Good hustle by Reeves.
36:14Able to get to the loose ball.
36:15Reeves gets Williams off the speed.
36:17Oh, gets it with the left.
36:19And one.
36:21The open shots weren't falling, but that one goes.
36:24And now a chance to tie it up.
36:27Degree of difficulty.
36:28Oh, this feels worth more than two here.
36:31He's trying to fend off the big.
36:33Does an excellent job with the shot fake.
36:35And then just give yourself a chance.
36:37And go ahead and flex, Austin.
36:40That is a tough finish.
36:43Second foul on Jalen Williams.
36:47George was talking about this guy has a high degree of equity in the face of missed shots.
36:54He is trying to get right physically in the heat of the playoffs.
37:00We're tied up again.
37:02Kiotis Alexander spins in the lane.
37:04Out to Jalen Williams.
37:06Missed the three.
37:07Aiton clears it.
37:08Lakers can take the lead.
37:12Deep catch, Hachimura.
37:14And fouled.
37:15He'll go to the line to try to put L.A. in front.
37:23Isiah Joe commits the foul.
37:25His first, second team foul.
37:28And Rui Hachimura.
37:31He's just three of six at the line in this series.
37:35And in the postseason, for that matter, shooting two.
37:40The upcoming NBA playoff schedule brought to you by Old Spice.
37:43ABC tomorrow, the NBA draft lottery, three Eastern.
37:46Then it's the Knicks and the Sixers.
37:48New York up three nothing.
37:50NBC Peacock game four, 730 Eastern.
37:53San Antonio, Minnesota.
37:54Monday, Detroit, Cleveland.
37:55And game four of this series back here in L.A. on Prime Video.
37:58Dave, you know how we always talk about Oklahoma City can take a cumulative toll?
38:02That over the course of a 48-minute game, their pressure can get to you.
38:06Can we just give Marcus Smart some credit for how hard he works to try to be disruptive to Shea?
38:12Here, 12 for Smart.
38:14Three-time all defense.
38:16The Thunder turn it over.
38:17Reeves down floor.
38:18Joe will challenge.
38:19No, he won't.
38:20Reeves all the way for the smash.
38:22Timeout, Thunder.
38:25This building finally comes alive.
38:31Decent, the point total wasn't there in games one and two.
38:34The point total's not there tonight in the shooting.
38:36Just two for 11 as we check out our game break brought to you by Microsoft 365 with co-pilot.
38:42So they're sending Marcus Smart.
38:44The pickup points are high on the floor.
38:46He's pushed up to 75.
38:48Now, yes, are they getting to four on four and three on three behind him?
38:52Yes.
38:52And the floater's going to be good there for Hartenstein.
38:55And Shea Gildas-Alexander, you're attached to his hip, which means on the backside, it's three on three.
39:01And a really good job here by Joe.
39:03But watch what Marcus is doing on Shea Gildas-Alexander.
39:08On the catch, he's there, puts a body on.
39:11Where's the bumping happening?
39:12Can I funnel him to my teammates?
39:14Can I deny catches?
39:15Can I make shots tough?
39:17I mean, his presence and pressure has had an impact.
39:21There's no question about it.
39:23His worst first half of his playoff career was last year in the conference finals against Minnesota when he went
39:292-13.
39:30He stops in the lane here and scores.
39:32He's now three for 12 and in double figures with 10 points.
39:38He averaged better than 30 points per game for the fourth consecutive year.
39:42The first player to do that since Michael Jordan, who did it seven straight years.
39:47Three minutes to go.
39:48Reeves skips through the lane.
39:49Out to Kennard.
39:50Three ball.
39:51He's there.
39:52Look, Kennard with 13 off the bench.
39:55His best game since games one and two of the first round.
39:58Plus 15 from the three-point line are the Los Angeles Lakers.
40:03And I'll ask it again.
40:04You're going to have to sustain it into the second half.
40:07A mid-range miss by SGA.
40:09His struggles continue.
40:10Lakers ball.
40:11Now, they led game one by seven and lost that by 17.
40:16By 18, rather.
40:17They led game two by five in the third quarter and lost that one 125-107.
40:22They're up five here.
40:23Shot clock at eight.
40:24Deflected.
40:25Right to Smart.
40:26Drives into the lane.
40:28Missed the shot and poked out to Caruso.
40:32Caruso goes right at Reeves and gets the layup.
40:35And Oklahoma City back within three.
40:40First points off the bench for Caruso.
40:42Dearing two to play in the first half.
40:45Reeves goes at Hartenstein.
40:46And Hartenstein with the strip.
40:48Reeves frustrated he didn't get the call.
40:50And Kildas Alexander wrapped up by Smart.
40:54And that's his second foul.
40:55Fourth team foul.
40:57And Reeves has got his arms extended.
40:59He's going over to the bench.
41:01He has been highly involved with the officials all evening.
41:05Now, he's been able to play through it.
41:06He's going to try to cross over Isaiah Hartenstein.
41:10Listen, I think that's a good no call.
41:13I agree.
41:14And I think it's becoming a little bit much.
41:16Because I think these officials have done a very good job.
41:18You heard Monty McCutcheon talk about it.
41:21The playoffs are played differently.
41:24You can walk into an NBA game.
41:26And you can almost reach out and touch the intensity.
41:30The defense is better.
41:31The scouts are better.
41:33The physicality is more.
41:35Like, you know, like, I think this is a good no call.
41:40He's trying to cross him up.
41:41He loses control of the basketball.
41:44You blowing that whistle there, Dan?
41:45No, I'm with you.
41:47That was a good defensive play by Hartenstein.
41:49As Yodis Alexander hits the second free throw to pull the Thunder within 1.
41:542-0-1 to go here in the first half.
41:58Leaves just three for nine.
42:00Nine points.
42:00Does have eight assists.
42:04James, who's got ten points.
42:07Hachimura, the leading scorer for the Lakers with 16.
42:10Shot clock at eight.
42:11On the back down, James going to work.
42:13Double comes.
42:14James throws it away.
42:15Caruso with the interception.
42:17And fouled by Kennard.
42:23First on Kennard.
42:30And now James Capers pulling over Curtis Blair and Ed Beloy.
42:33I don't know that there was a lot of this.
42:36It would be interesting.
42:37Was there enough contact for a call here?
42:46As you watched it live, did he, just in trying to get past him, lose his balance?
42:52Let's take a look at how much contact is here.
42:57That doesn't look like much contact at all.
42:59That doesn't look like a lot to me.
43:00Yeah.
43:01And so, like, and, you know, there's a great podcaster, Jason Tim, who's tonight.
43:08You know, he talks about, yeah, you want physicality on both sides.
43:11You want LeBron officiated poorly.
43:14I mean, he's going to play with a high degree of physicality.
43:17Caruso's three no good.
43:18I wonder if there was some confusion over whether it was team foul number four or five.
43:23And that was the reason for the stoppage.
43:24They were not in the penalty.
43:25Kennard harassed.
43:27Has to give it up.
43:28Lakers by one.
43:30Long lob to James.
43:33Caruso defending.
43:34James again on that extended back down.
43:37Turns and misses.
43:39Holmgren rebounds.
43:39His fifth.
43:42Okay.
43:42See, looking to retake the lead on this possession.
43:47Yodas Alexander trying to get free.
43:49Puts on the brakes.
43:50And hits for midrange.
43:52What a shot by the MVP.
43:55His quick stop.
43:57Reverse dribble is so tough.
44:00How often do you see defenders backpedaling to a space where they're trying to prevent a drive?
44:04And that midrange is on point.
44:07OKC has scored the last six points to go back in front.
44:11Shot clock at five.
44:12Reeves penetrates through the lane.
44:13And a foul call.
44:17That's the first in the last two minutes.
44:19But it was in the active shooting.
44:20So two free throws as SGA picks up his first foul.
44:23So despite the incredible shooting.
44:25There you see it.
44:26That little stop.
44:27Pullback dribble into the midrange.
44:30Shakes Rui.
44:31Who's got a size advantage.
44:33But as well as the Lakers have shot it.
44:38OKC still has an advantage here.
44:41Eleven three-pointers for the Lakers.
44:43That's how they've been able to stay in this game.
44:46Coming up, NBA halftime presented by Kia with Ernie, Kenny, Shaq, and Charles.
44:50Their thoughts on the first half.
44:52I'm sure they'll talk about what happened earlier today with Cleveland getting back in the series against Detroit.
44:59Reeves with nine here in the quarter.
45:00We saw Luka Doncic out.
45:04You see Jalen Williams to the Thunder still out.
45:06Although we were told earlier today he is progressing.
45:08There's hope he's going to be back during this run for the Thunder.
45:11Mitchell gets past Reeves all the way to the goal.
45:15But he's got an afterburner.
45:17His first thought is downhill to the cuff on every catch.
45:24A difference of eight seconds between the game and shot clocks.
45:28Oklahoma City by one here at the end of the first half looking to go up 3-0 in the
45:32series.
45:33Reeves against Wallace gets deep.
45:35Followed by Wallace and more free throws for Reeves.
45:38Who's four or five at the line so far.
45:40Second on Wallace.
45:43Austin Reeves has been one of the most prolific, dangerous drivers.
45:48He's also somebody they're going to look to attack.
45:51And so you see A.J. Mitchell.
45:53He's got great burst, great handle, great change of speed.
45:58Dane's going to come back in for offensive purposes for the final possession for Oklahoma City.
46:04This is Reeves' six and seven free throws.
46:08And the Lakers have taken ten.
46:10He's had six of them.
46:11The Thunder have taken just six free throws.
46:13All of those by Gilgis Alexander.
46:16Always a little gamesmanship, right, with the coaches and things said before series.
46:22J.J. Redick said it's Oklahoma City never fouls.
46:26It's an amazing thing to watch, right?
46:29Little gamesmanship.
46:30Reeves has the second one fall off the side of the rim.
46:33Aiden cleans it up inside as Holmgren falls down.
46:37Lakers by two.
46:39Seven seconds to go in the half.
46:42Gilgis Alexander.
46:44Mitchell gives it up.
46:45Holmgren with two.
46:46Turns.
46:47Fires.
46:48And the half comes to an end.
46:50For the second straight game, the Lakers lead at halftime.
46:53They lost game two.
46:55Will game three be different?
46:58Gilgis Alexander had 14, but just four for 14 shooting.
47:03The Lakers were led by Hachimura's 16 points.
47:07Coming up after the break, it's Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, Shaq, and Charles.
47:12NBA halftime present.
47:13to open. We've got this
47:13we've got this. Oh, R mantra
47:13in here so many of our main things. We've got this.
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