Will the Lakers REBOUND? Lakers True Test begins Tonight vs OKC

   Jimmy Butler wasn't scared and neither will a Russell of another ilk, Westbrook, coming to "his house" in Los Angeles. RUSS will no doubt be bringing rings of fire with him to only add to his gaudy numbers against these Lakers. 

PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES

In their first meeting, which was an LA Loss back on October 30, 2016,  Westbrook hung a "Kareem" on them with "33" pts.  He also went "trip-dub" adding 16 Assists and 11 Rebounds.

   This facet of the game, REBOUNDING, will be key in their re-match.  Rebounds,
more often than not, will dictate who wins a ball-game.  OKC edged LA last game with 45 total rebounds versus 41.  These teams match-up very closely with the slight edge going to OKC in Rebounds Per Game (46-43  (LAL)per game).
    DO the Lakers have anyone on the roster who can stop Westbrook? *
     Despite what D-Russ and others (Spectrum Sports Net Commentators) said after last game, this is no time for D'Angelo to attempt to "play-through" this knee injury.

Russell figured playing with the knee sore was better than sitting; and he knows that players play through such pain constantly in the NBA.

— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) November 21, 2016

    Victor Olidapo will be on the floor as the Guard opposite Westbrook most of the game.  There are $84 Million Reasons why.  He is fast.  In fact this might be one of the top three fastest and most athletic back-court duos in the League.  These types of back-court match-ups have been killing the Lakers for years. Olidapo had TWENTY POINTS last game against the Lakers.  

     This is a test for ALL the Lakers.  How will they scheme defensively?  How will they correct the glaring deficiency on blocking out, especially around the perimeter?  

     The Bulls destroyed the Lakers "on the glass" last game but many of those "rebounds" were balls that bounced back out to the guards, ie "no one blocked out and went for the ball."  Westbrook will eat heartily if this trend continues tonight.  Which might be "ok" see as long as other guys like Olidapo (20/ 4 assists), Adams (14 pts, 12 REB) don't get theirs as well.
   

Coach Walton said, after the loss to the Bulls, that 

"You can't let the stars AND the other guys go off..it's one or the other." 

Butler had 40, which Luke was "ok" with, but Mirotic with 15 points AND 15 Rebounds? Nah.  Can't happen.  Rondo with 12 assists, 9 Rebounds?
     TEST Tonight vs OKC marks the fourth and final home game on this "stand."  The Lakers kicked it off with a win over the Brooklyn Nets 125-118.  Since then, they have taken "L"s from the visiting Spurs last Friday (107-116) and then the BULLS on Sunday (110-118).

    The Thunder might have some solid veteran players, including perhaps the best guard and player in the league, Russell Westbrook.  The Lakers HAVE A BETTER ROSTER. 

     There has been much emphasis put on "winning" at home with Coach Walton. So, after a couple of losses, this might becomes more difficult to Rebound From.

"If you can REBOUND the BALL, you CAN REBOUND in the WIN COLUMN"

I Think the Lakers REBOUND and take the dub at home..

*THEY DO HAVE THE PERSONNEL to D-FEND Russ. Start or No Start, I want to see plenty of  Nance Jr and Brandon Ingram Defending against Westbrook.

That being said...

Claves de Partido (Keys to the Game)

1) Win on the Boards

2) If you let Russell EAT, don't let him eat on the glass (see #1)

3) If you Let Russell EAT (scoring) then you must limit Olidapo (scoring_ under 15 points)

4) If you Let Russell EAT (scoring) then you Limit Kanter and Adams on the Glass (see #1)

In the story about last game against the Bulls, you can read some of the things that Spectrum Sports Net commentators Antawn Jamison and James Worthy had to say about playing with an injury.