Lakers vs. Thunder: Game 5 Pregame Primer

vs.

Los Angeles Lakers (5-6, 1-4 road) vs. OKC Thunder (7-1, 4-0 home)

TV: TNT (Cox 31, HD 730)
Stream: Click here
Radio: WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM, 97.1 FM Tulsa)
Time: 8:30 CT

Thunder lead series 3-1

View from the enemy: Forum Blue and Gold

The stakes are pretty clear. Win, and punch a ticket to a second consecutive Western Conference Finals. Lose, and the series goes back to Los Angeles and the Lakers live another day. The Thunder have won big and have won ugly.

The Lakers have some history in getting walloped in elimination games, but that can’t be assumed. It has to be just another night of focus and energy, and then let Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden take care of the rest.

Obviously not much has separated the teams the last three outings. I tend to lean that illustrated the small gap between the teams, but I still feel like a quality night is ahead for the Thunder. But then again, Pau Gasol hasn’t played well yet in this series and it seems like he might be due, especially after Kobe called him out. Things tend to work that way in sports. Sportswriters are already drooling over the angle of Gasol going for 22-15 the game after Kobe blasted him.

It’s going to be another stressful night because a playoff series isn’t over until it is. Talking heads can’t proclaim it done, but until the Thunder officially have that ticket stamped to San Anotnio, there’s work to do.

Tip at 8:30 CT. Go Finish.