Jovan Buha and Tim, aka Cranjis McBasketball of the Lakers Exceptionalism podcast and BBall Index, preview the Western Conference semifinals playoff series between the Los Angeles Lakers and Oklahoma City Thunder.
Jovan and Tim discuss one big question for each team, one player X-factor, one statistical X-factor, one series X-factor, their series prediction, and more.
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TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Intro
1:05 Setting the stage for Lakers-Thunder
11:28 Tim's Lakers question: How — and how well — will LA defend OKC's isos?
19:00 Jovan's Lakers question: How can LA score efficiently enough against this specific defense?
24:15 Tim's Thunder question: How do they defend LA in the pick-and-roll?
28:39 Jovan's Thunder question: How will they defend LeBron and LA's post-ups?
34:31 Tim's Lakers X-factor: LeBron James
37:46 Jovan's Lakers X-factor: Austin Reaves
42:49 Tim's Thunder X-factor: Lu Dort
47:05 Jovan's Thunder X-factor: Ajay Mitchell
52:27 Tim's statistical X-factor: OKC's DREB% and TOV% in wins vs. losses
58:11 Jovan's statistical X-factor: 3-point battle (both volume and %)
1:05:29 Tim's series X-factor: How well can LA defend the rim?
1:11:31 Jovan's series X-factor: Possession battle (mainly TOs and offensive rebounds)
1:16:06 Miscellaneous notes/questions
1:17:18 Tim's series prediction
1:18:35 Jovan's series prediction
1:24:19 Q&A
1:33:37 Outro
