Best record in the league

With the Boston Celtics and Houston Rockets each getting unexpected losses this week, the Los Angeles Lakers are now alone in having the best record in the league. They stand at 12-2 and winners in each of their last five games.

Winning streaks and good stretches have been all over the Lakers’ side this season. Along with the current five-game run, they have also held opponents to under 10 threes in three of their last four games and under 10 offensive rebounds in seven of their last nine outings. Additionally, LeBron James has 10 or more assists in 11 of his 14 games, while Anthony Davis has had at least one block in each of his 13 appearances this season. Through the consistency, the two currently lead the league in assists (11.1) and blocks (3.1) per game, respectively.

James achieved a milestone in Wednesday’s 112-107 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. After logging 22 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists, he became the first player in NBA history to record a triple-double against all teams in the league. Davis also boasted strong play and he did it on both ends, scoring 34 points and adding four steals and two blocks.

Consecutive games of coming up short

The 5-9 Thunder head to the game having lost four of their last five, with the last two coming via close losses to the Lakers and LA Clippers. Against the Clippers, a late, go-ahead three buried their game-long solid performance, while versus the Lakers, the would-be victory only slipped away at the last minute.

Dennis Schroder was the key man for OKC in the recent meeting with the Lakers. He came off the bench to chip in a team-high 31 points, so the defense could be on the lookout for him. Danilo Gallinari also made sure his presence got felt, as he posted 25 points on 7-for-11 shooting and a good fishing expedition that got him going to the line 11 times, where he made nine.

The two most talented guys on the roster – second-year, high-potential guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (19.4 PPG) and decorated, 14-year veteran Chris Paul (15.8 PPG, 5.6 APG, 2.0 SPG) – both performed poorly in that first game, with Shai going 5-for-16 from the floor and Paul mostly facilitating (10 assists) as he missed six of his seven shots. They should be in quite the mood the score and be more effective for this sequel.

PREDICTION:

The Lakers should make the season series 2-0, but if they get careless like they did late in that game last Wednesday, the Thunder and their home crowd will make them pay.