Paycom Center suffocated Los Angeles' shot profile. Oklahoma City posted a 111.0 offensive rating against the Lakers' 93.1, opened a 21-point cushion, and won Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals 108-90 on Tue May 5. The Thunder bench scored 34, the Lakers' bench scored 15. The +19 gap was the series.
Trigger
OKC 34 vs LAL 15, +19 differential
bench_points_gap
Impact
90
Bravsen Impact Score
Odds
12%
Probability movement
Confidence
High
Verdict confidence
Analysis
What moved
Oklahoma City posted a 59.8% true shooting line against the Lakers' 49.6% — a 10.2-point efficiency chasm. Chet Holmgren liquidated the matchup with 24 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 blocks on 9/17 from the floor (2/2 from three), finishing +10 with a 137.6 offensive rating and 86.1 defensive rating. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 18 points and 6 assists on 8/15 from the field. Off the bench, Ajay Mitchell scored 18 on 7/16 with a +14 swing, Jared McCain added 12 on 4/5 from three, and Isaiah Hartenstein went 3/3 with 9 rebounds.
Los Angeles' shot profile collapsed. Both teams attempted 30 threes — OKC made 13 (43.3%) to LA's 10 (33.3%). Austin Reaves shot 3/16 (18.8%) for 8 points on a 23.7% true shooting line and a -10. LeBron James posted 27 points on 12/17 (70.6%) with 6 assists, but finished -6. Rui Hachimura scored 18 on 53.8% but went -21. Oklahoma City won second-chance points 21 to 11, fast break points 16 to 11, and biggest lead 21 to 7.
Standings Impact
OKC lead Western Conference Semifinals 1-0. Probability movement: 12%.