2026 Playoffs: West Semifinals (1) OKC Thunder Vs (4) LA Lakers

This series against OKC is a huge opportunity to see which role players can actually step up against championship-level opposition and earn a contract for next season, whether that’s here or somewhere else.

If we’re serious about winning a title, we can’t carry guys who shrink when the stakes rise. This series should expose who belongs and who doesn’t.

 

Agree

This will show the character of the players

No way can we lay down

Have to go out fighting

I picked Lakers in 6/7 because I can't accept we are going to lose

You never know....

 

I think we usually start to see less of the 2 days off in the 2nd round. In the first round that’s largely due to scheduling since there are 16 teams in the mix. Extra days off to maximize viewership for each game.

 

Lakers in 7.

 

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Wasn't there "something" with Sean Penn winning an Oscar and us making it to the Finals the same year? Because...

 

Chips massively stacked against us, very small chance for success obviously.. but there's still a chance. Steal one in OKC then defend two home games.. going back to OKC up 3-1, I've seen crazier things in sports.

Miracles, much needed.

 

key will be controlling pace. this means having ball control like game 6 instead of games 1-5 against houston.

keep it low scoring, and you have a chance. this is why i'd give us a puncher's chance with luka. i just don't know if we can even win a slugfest without that. SGA is going to be able to get and make shots in the halfcourt in ways houston couldn't.

i just want to see us keep it slow, though--that's the key, imo.

 

I hope JJ doesn't end up going with a 7 man rotation like last year against this OKC team. It would just wear down the king and Reeves and others. Keep some fresh legs on the court against this OKC team that are young and have depth.

 

We need discipline for sure. It seems they give you 3s just to speed up the game. We have to stay out of that trap. Take what are good shots for us after we have established rebounders. I would like to see more Nick in this series. LeBron will need to be a maestro.

 

Hate to admit it but this is where I sit. I pray I am wrong. Will be happy to be wrong.

 

Oklahoma is -1500 favorite
it means to make 100 $ you would bet 1500 $, maybe there's better not to go to the games lol and get technical loss
Lakers will save money, Jeanie would not be looking loans ,etc...
yes it is joke ,but very disrespectful to Lakers, especially after what happened to other stars

 

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