The best NBA teams must go on frequent winning streaks to keep themselves ahead of the pack in the league. Derek Fisher and his Los Angeles Lakers teammates know this very well.
After losing back-to-back games late last week, D-Fish and the Lake Show are hard at work on a new winning streak, defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder 101-85 for their third straight win.
In a rematch of a game two weeks ago that went to overtime earlier this month, the Lakers didn’t need any extra time this time around and refused to let their opponent hang around.
Fish led the early charge.
No. 2 started the game with a mini-flurry, scoring his first points just two minutes in and then assisting on back-to-back Laker possessions, finding Andrew Bynum for a lay up and a plus one, and then hitting Kobe Bryant on another lay up. Bryant also got fouled and sank his free throw.
The eight-point sequence brought the Lakers from down two points to up six. From there they never looked back
Derek’s early basket tied the game at 5-5, and began a run that allowed the Lakers to, opening a 17-point lead. They kept that pace up the rest of the game, winning by 16.
No. 2 finished the night with another solid stat line, scoring four points, snatching four rebounds and tossing two assists. He also had a steal and a block.
PRAISE FROM THE OTHER SIDE
Derek had another decent night offensively, but it was No. 2’s defense on Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook that once again drew him accolades.
Fish limited Westbrook to 14 points on 5-16 from the field. Westbrook is averaging 16.4 points per game with an 42.1 shooting percentage. But in two games against Fish and the Lakers, Westbrook has been limited to 13 ppg and 10-28 (35.7 percent) from the field.
The difference in his point guard’s game has been enough to make OKC coach Scott Brooks take notice, as quoted by the Los Angeles Times Lakers Blog:
"Derek Fisher never gets enough credit. The guy is a star. He battles and competes. I admire his play every year since he’s been in this league," he said. "If you want your son to be a point guard, they should look at his tape and be committed to what he does. He plays for the team, and that’s what you expect from a point guard at that level. He’s an amazing player."
NEXT UP
Derek and the 10-3 Lakers take on the New York Knicks tomorrow night at the Staples Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 PST and all the action can be seen live on Fox Sports West.
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