Steven Adams has shown his defensive ability. Photo / Photosport.
Steven Adams has shown his defensive ability. Photo / Photosport.
Steven Adams isn't known as a high-ouput shot blocker. The Kiwi big man averages fewer than one rejection per game for the Oklahoma City Thunder this season, and just one per game for his career.
However, when the Thunder travelled to play the Lakers in Los Angeles on Thursday (NZ time), Adams was a pest on the defensive end - swatting away three shots and altering plenty more as the Thunder cruised to a 133-96 victory.
Things started rather ominously for the Thunder as the Lakers piled on early to lead 10-0 inside three minutes of action.
After battling to a 26-all scoreline at the end of the first quarter, the OKC side erupted to out-score the Lakers 37-18 in the second period to hold a healthy lead at half time.
Early foul trouble saw Adams' impact hampered in the first half, as forward duo Carmelo Anthony and Paul George scored at a high clip.
But the Kiwi big man had more of a say in the second half, putting his fingerprints on the match at both ends.
Adams came away with 12 points and six rebounds to add to his three blocks, as the Thunder finished the night +20 in Adams' 26 minutes on the floor.
Point guard Russell Westbrook was distributing to his normal high standard as well as getting his own points, but it was the play of rookie shooting guard Terrance Ferguson that caught spectators eyes.
Ferguson, who played in the ANBL for the Adelaide 36ers last season, was on fire from three-point range, drilling six of nine attempts.
With the other four starters given an extended break in the fourth quarter, Ferguson's play became the main attraction as he threw down two huge dunks late in the game.
The win saw the Thunder halt a two-match skid as they move to 21-17 for the season.
It was an important victory for the Thunder as it means they remain fifth in the Western Conference standings. Had they fallen to the Lakers, former Wellington Saints guard Torrey Craig's Denver Nuggets could have leapfrogged them on the table.
Former Wellington Saints guard Torrey Craig defends Philadelphia's Ben Simmons in an NBA clash between Denver and Philadelphia. Photo / AP
The Nuggets decimated the Phoenix Suns 134-111 earlier in the day to draw even with the Thunder in terms of record. However the win for OKC meant they remained one game ahead.
