If the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday, they will have their first four-game winning streak of the season, meaning the Lakers are suddenly playing their best basketball of the season.
With Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant both out due to injuries, the Lakers have an opportunity to win a game they normally would be expected to lose by 20 points. Rather than focusing on Lakers' fan frustrations with their team winning games and the confusing emotions of Laker fans at the tail end of the 2014/15 season, why not focus on why the Lakers are winning these games?
Firstly, the Lakers have won three straight games since Carlos Boozer returned to the starting lineup. Are the wins all due to Boozer? Over the winning streak, Boozer is averaging 12.0 points and 6.7 rebounds per game in 23.7 minutes per game. On the season, the veteran averages 12.5 points and 6.9 rebounds in 24.7 minutes, so the role of starter has not led to much of a deviance in Boozer's individual contributions.
However, the team as a whole is playing better, and a large part of that is Jeremy Lin's recent positive play. Following the All-Star break, Lin has come back to play his best basketball as a Laker. In the four games following the mid-season break, Lin averaged 16.3 points, 4.3 assists and 2.0 rebounds. Most importantly, the backup point guard made better decisions and only averaged only 0.5 turnovers per game.
After an uninspired start to his first season with the Lakers, Lin has cut down on turnovers, while increasing his scoring and improving his efficiency. Lin is averaging about six more points and two fewer turnovers per game following the All-Star break. Also, the 26-year-old is shooting 50 percent from the field over the past four games.
Lin is not alone in his improved play, as the Lakers' players appear to be gaining understanding with each other and playing with team balance. Whether it is Jordan Clarkson and Wayne Ellington providing points in the back court or Robert Sacre scoring in double figures in five of his last nine games in the front court, the Lakers have been playing better basketball on the whole following a 13-40 record entering the All-Star break.
While a large contingent of fans may be rooting against the Lakers from home, the fans in the stands sound appreciative of the Lakers improving, playing hard, winning games and occasionally sending fans home with tacos.
Tip-off is 3:30 p.m. Pacific Time.
Notes: Nick Young will miss his third straight game. Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Julius Randle and Ronnie Price are long-term absences.
