The Los Angeles Lakers appear to have found an antidote for Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Russell Westbrook.
Westbrook flirted with a triple-double against the Lakers on Thursday night, as he finished with 26 points and 13 assists on top of nine rebounds. While he posted his usual numbers, the former NBA Most Valuable Player actually struggled all night against the Lakers defense.
Russell Westbrook shot just 7-for-30 from the field, including a 5-for-12 clip from beyond the arc. According to Bleacher Report, the Lakers have limited Westbrook to a dismal 10-for-50 shooting in their first two meetings this season. During their first match earlier this month, Westbrook had 14 points on a measly 3-for-20 clip from the field.
Russ is shooting just 10-50 in two games vs. the Lakers this season pic.twitter.com/xpGpUNkxRO
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 18, 2019
Westbrook almost saved the Thunder from a home loss against the Lakers when he converted three free throws with 2.9 seconds left in regulation to force overtime. However, the Lakers found a way to shut him down in overtime, as Westbrook went scoreless to allow Los Angeles to escape with a 138-128 win.
The Lakers, who played without superstar LeBron James, limited the Thunder to just 39.4 percent from the field. During their first meeting, Los Angeles also managed to slow them down offensively, as the Thunder converted just 38.1 percent of their shots.
Kyle Kuzma feasted on Oklahoma City's defense, finishing with 32 points with seven three-pointers. Ivica Zubac also turned heads with another big night, racking up 26 points and 12 rebounds for the Lakers, who moved up to eighth in the Western Conference with their 25-21 record.
The Thunder remained third in the West with a 26-18 record, but they are now in a virtual tie with the 27-19 Portland Trail Blazers. Oklahoma City absorbed a costly defeat on Tuesday, losing to the lowly Atlanta Hawks, 142-126. They have now lost in five of their last six games.
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