The Los Angeles Lakers have suffered some very embarrassing loss recently and things could simply be getting worse as they face the Oklahoma City Thunder who have the league's best offense. As Kevin Durant and company come into the Staples Center for a Sunday matchup, the Lakers are simply bracing for the worst.
The Thunder are on fire offensively which should be on display against one of the NBA's worst teams. Oklahoma City has been averaging 119.0 points in the past four games on 51.4 percent shooting. Durant is doing what he does best, putting up 35.3 points in that stretch of time. The team is coming off a loss to the Phoenix Suns. Russell Westbrook put up 36 points while Durant added 34, but defensively the Thunder struggled, blowing a 16-point lead in the third quarter.
The Thunder should be able to bounce back against the Lakers who have almost no defense whatsoever. Los Angeles is allowing a league-worst 112.5 points since the new year. In the past three games, things got ugly. The Lakers have given up an average of 136.0 points on 56.3 percent shooting. They became the first team since Golden State to allow over 130 points in three consecutive games.
Pau Gasol is the lone bright spot for the team. He is averaging 24.2 points in the past five games. The Lakers have been able to get up for recent Thunder matchups. Despite allowing 127.2 points per game, they have held Oklahoma City under that margain in two meetings while Durant has averaged 37.0 points. The Thunder have won 12 of the last 15 Lakers matchups, dating back to the 2012 playoffs.
