Paul George's visit to the Staples Center was very different from last season, where he received a standing ovation every time his name was called that night. That was because the fan base assumed they were landing PG-13 in the off-season, but since he re-signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder, they are no longer too fond of the star. He received nothing but boos on Wednesday, all while leading the Thunder over the short-handed Los Angeles Lakers, 107-100. George finished with 37 points to help his team overcome Russell Westbrook's struggles, as the third-seeded Thunder improved to 11 games over .500. Meanwhile, the Lakers dropped to 1-3 without James, and just four games over .500 after a hot stretch at one point.
Even though he struggled, Westbrook still posted a triple-double of 14 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists, but he shot just 3-for-20 from the floor. That included him missing his first eight shots of the night, as the California native could not impress too much in his team's lone visit against the Lakers. Steven Adams added a double-double of 15 points and 13 rebounds, and was not shy with talking about the fans' reaction to George, but said it did not affect his team in a positive or negative way.
George had two huge quarters with 13 points in the second frame, and then 11 more points in the third, but the Thunder had the fourth quarter be their difference. George had nine points in the final 12 minutes, but the Thunder still outscored the Lakers by 12 to overcome a minor deficit and jump ahead for good. Oklahoma City trailed by five entering the fourth quarter, but came away with their seventh victory in the past 10 games.
The Lakers were playing in their fourth game since losing James to a groin injury, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope continued to be the one that steps up in his absence. KCP scored 25 points, 18 of which came in the first half, but that was not enough, as the rest of the Lakers' offense struggled to score. They have now dropped six of their past nine games after struggling from the free throw line, which has been an unfortunate trend for them. Despite holding a lead late, they made just six field goals in the fourth quarter, which powered the Thunder's late run. Most importantly, they struggled to stop George in the paint, as the star shot just 2-for-11 from three-point range in his monster performance.
The Lakers are not expected to have LeBron back when they stay home on Friday night to host the New York Knicks. Meanwhile, the impressive Thunder hit the road for another matchup against their division rivals, the Portland Trail Blazers, that same night.
Even though he struggled, Westbrook still posted a triple-double of 14 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists, but he shot just 3-for-20 from the floor. That included him missing his first eight shots of the night, as the California native could not impress too much in his team's lone visit against the Lakers. Steven Adams added a double-double of 15 points and 13 rebounds, and was not shy with talking about the fans' reaction to George, but said it did not affect his team in a positive or negative way.
George had two huge quarters with 13 points in the second frame, and then 11 more points in the third, but the Thunder had the fourth quarter be their difference. George had nine points in the final 12 minutes, but the Thunder still outscored the Lakers by 12 to overcome a minor deficit and jump ahead for good. Oklahoma City trailed by five entering the fourth quarter, but came away with their seventh victory in the past 10 games.
The Lakers were playing in their fourth game since losing James to a groin injury, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope continued to be the one that steps up in his absence. KCP scored 25 points, 18 of which came in the first half, but that was not enough, as the rest of the Lakers' offense struggled to score. They have now dropped six of their past nine games after struggling from the free throw line, which has been an unfortunate trend for them. Despite holding a lead late, they made just six field goals in the fourth quarter, which powered the Thunder's late run. Most importantly, they struggled to stop George in the paint, as the star shot just 2-for-11 from three-point range in his monster performance.
The Lakers are not expected to have LeBron back when they stay home on Friday night to host the New York Knicks. Meanwhile, the impressive Thunder hit the road for another matchup against their division rivals, the Portland Trail Blazers, that same night.
