Lakers hold off furious Oklahoma City Thunder…
Lakers hold off furious Oklahoma City Thunder rally for road victory
Los Angeles Lakers forward Julius Randle, center, keeps the ball away from Oklahoma City Thunder forwards Jerami Grant, left, and Paul George (13) in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
By Bill Oram | Orange County Register
February 4, 2018 at 1:52 p.m.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson (6) goes to the basket in front of Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jerami Grant (9) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Los Angeles Lakers center Brook Lopez, top left, shoots in front of Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) passes between Los Angeles Lakers forwards Larry Nance Jr. (7) and Brandon Ingram (14) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma (0) shoots as Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jerami Grant (9) defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Los Angeles Lakers center Brook Lopez, left, fouls Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) as Westbrook shoots in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Los Angeles Lakers forward Brandon Ingram (14) dunks in front of Oklahoma City Thunder forward Carmelo Anthony, center, and guard Alex Abrines, right, in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Los Angeles Lakers forward Julius Randle (30) shoots in front of Oklahoma City Thunder forward Carmelo Anthony, left, and guard Terrance Ferguson (23) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Los Angeles Lakers forward Brandon Ingram (14) drives around Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Los Angeles Lakers center Brook Lopez (11) shoots as Oklahoma City Thunder forward Paul George, left, defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (1) knocks the ball away from Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams, front left, in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Los Angeles Lakers forward Julius Randle (30) celebrates as he walks off the court during a timeout in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Oklahoma City, Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook, bottom, falls as he drives around Los Angeles Lakers forward Brandon Ingram, left, in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Paul George, right, shoots over Los Angeles Lakers guard Josh Hart, left, in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jerami Grant (9) is fouled by Los Angeles Lakers center Brook Lopez (11) as he shoots in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook, left, dunks near of Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma, right, in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) and Los Angeles Lakers guard Josh Hart, right, reach for a rebound in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
OKLAHOMA CITY – As the Lakers closed in on of their most unexpected wins of the season, Brandon Ingram blocked Carmelo Anthony's jump shot and flung the ball ahead to a streaking Julius Randle.
Randle slammed the ball with one hand, then galloped back to the Lakers' bench where he leapt and was greeted with a body slam from rookie Thomas Bryant.
The celebration was on. And Luke Walton was nervous.
"I looked out there, we were up 10 and the guys were out there smiling," Walton said after the Lakers hung on for a 108-104 win over the Thunder. "It's not over. That's the perfect example."
Randle's dunk put the Lakers up 107-97 with 1:08 remaining, but things went from jubilant to terrifying real quick. In the final minute, the Lakers focused on three keys: rebound, defend the 3-point line and don't turn the ball over.
"We did almost the exact opposite," Randle said.
After two turnovers from Jordan Clarkson and a pair of missed free throws from Brandon Ingram, the Thunder pulled within 107-104 on a 3-pointer by Paul George with 24.7 seconds left.
Randle inbounded to Clarkson, who was hounded into losing the ball out of bounds. The initial call had the ball going back to the Thunder, but was overturned upon review.
The Lakers subsequently inbounded to Randle, who nearly traveled but was fouled and split two free throws with 17.9 seconds remaining. On the Thunder's last possession, trailing by four, Russell Westbrook, who scored a game-high 36 points, missed a 3.
It was an impressive reversal from the Lakers two previous games against Oklahoma City and it was perhaps most fitting that the game ended with Randle refusing to let Steven Adams, the Thunder's relentless center, strip the ball away.
After getting pushed around in losses of 38 and 24 points in their previous two encounters against the Thunder, the Lakers on Sunday found an answer.
"We got pushed around again today," Walton said, "which is fine as long as we push back. That was the difference, because we pushed back tonight."
On Sunday, the Lakers were outrebounded 46-40, but limited the Thunder to just 13 second-chance points.
"It's a physical game and it should be like that, that's when it's fun when guys are going at each other. But the first two times it was just them pushing us."
All five Lakers scored in double figures led by 20 points from Brook Lopez and 19 points from Julius Randle. Brandon Ingram, in his second consecutive start at point guard, finished with 16 points, five rebounds, five assists and two blocks.
Ingram scored eight of his 16 points in the final period, including a three-point play with 3:32 left.
George received the Thunder's third technical of the game, and the sequence allowed the Lakers to push their lead to 102-92, at the time their biggest of the game.
While Clarkson strode to the line for the free throw, Ingram and Josh Hart paused at the top of the key and spoke briefly and laughed.
"We were talking about how tired we were," Ingram said, "from trying to push the pace and move the ball."
Hart may have been the Lakers most valuable player for the second straight game. He added 11 rebounds to his 14 points, giving him 25 boards over the last two games.
"He's always had the heart of a big (man)," Lopez said. "I'm proud to say that and claim him as a big."
It has been a bizarre 11 days since the Lakers left home for five games on the road. Their two identities were constantly engaged in battle, fighting for prominence.
There were the triumphs in Chicago and Brooklyn, but also duds in Toronto and especially Orlando.
On Sunday, the Lakers were — at least before the final minute — at their very best.
"We came in at 2-2 on this road trip," Hart said, "and we just wanted to fight. … We played a heck of a game."
Bill Oram | Reporter
Bill Oram covers the Los Angeles Lakers for the Southern California News Group. He covered the Utah Jazz for the Salt Lake Tribune. He is the (usually) bearded guy in the background wearing a University of Montana hat.
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