Game 3 has come and gone, folks, and this game looked set to be a chess
match. OKC made major changes to their core starting line-up in order to
try something different and explore the strong newfound Lakers line-up.
GM
Nenjabin had up-and-comer
Nikola Jokic leapfrog to the starting PF spot
and had a trickle down effect on
Draymond Green,
Jimmy Butler and
Fournier, the last of the non-PG wings, dropped to the bench.
Fournier,
by the way, had an awesome game with an awesome team-high 18 points in
17 minutes, in a move clearly designed to send a message to his coaching
staff that he wants to play.
Now let's talk about the REAL MVP
of this game and one that looked to turn back the clock after rumors
came around that this might be his last rodeo, Manu Ginobli put up an
explosive performance, going 10-16 for 31 points going against nobody
else than Jimmy "two-way" Butler, who's arguably one of the best
defensive wingers, out there. Gos to tell ya how much defense matters in
2k, lol (it really does matter though).
The Lakers didn't have
any trouble in this one, really, leading for much of the contest and
again losing the 4th quarter in what has become a trend, but in reality
this just means that the OKC guys are beating the "end of the bench"
guys for the Lakers, the way things are going.
Much improvement
was expected out of OKC as they were going to their own home courts to
play a crucial game 3, but it goes to show you how much the effect of
one player can have on your team. Jonas, please come back, this team
needs you!
As for the fate of the series, we have only Game 7s
now the rest of the way if you're the Thunder and the Lakers might as
well try to finish this before JVal can come back and instill some hope
in that locker room. If that happen, the guys in LaLa Land might be in
trouble. This is the NLL after all and anything is possible.
There's
still hope for the Thunder and the Lakers wish to finish this soon.
Desperate teams usually rally when backed up against the wall. Will OKC
rebound?
Let's check it out. Monday 4am, NLL TV, be there!
See you next time!
