THE LAKE SHOW

OKC improves to 2-1 in bubble, never trails in rout

Luguentz Dort picked up Le B ron James full court, showing the kind of defensive confidence an undrafted rookie shouldn't have against an all-time great.

But Dort's early defense on James set the tone Wednesday night as the Thunder clamped down on the Lakers in a 105-86 win at HP Field House in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

James shot just 7- of -19 from the floor as Dort, Chris Paul, Andre Roberson and Darius Bazley all took turns defending him.

Dort saw the most time against James. The Lakers star bulldozed through Dort for a driving dunk in the second quarter, but almost everything else was difficult for James.

James backed down D orton the Lake rs' first possession of the third quarter, but James missed a bank shot from the block. He held up his hands, and a few minutes later, James was assessed a technical foul from the bench after arguing a call.

James' co-star, power forward Anthony Davis, also struggled. Davis shot just 3-of-11 from the field. James and Davis, who average a combined 52 points per game, were limited to 28 points Wednesday.

The Lakers, perhaps coming off the hangover of clinching the No. 1 seed in the West on Monday, shot 35% from the field and 5-of-37 from 3-point range. They were held to 18 first-quarter points on 1-of-12 3-point shooting.

The Lakers' 66 points through three quarters tied their lowest mark of the season.

The Thunder was similarly cold offensive ly as leading scorer Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was limited to 13 points on 3-of-11 shooting. But OKC was aided by the whistle. After being doomed by missed f ree throws Monday against the Nuggets, the Thunder shot 32-of-36 from the foul line against the Lakers.

The Thunder was without Dennis Sc hr oder (personal reasons ), Terrance Ferguson (right leg contusion) and Mike Mus cal a( concussion protocol). The Thunder's starters shouldered a heavier load offensively to compensate for the lack of depth.

All five Thunder starters scored at least 13 points. The bench combined for just 20 points.

Paul led the Thunder with 21 points, and filled the box score with seven rebounds and six assists. Paul drilled a 3-pointer from the top of the arc with 10 minutes left that ended a mini run from the Lakers.

Oklahoma City outscored Los Angeles by 25 points with Paul on the floor.

The Thunder (42-25) is 2-1 in the season restart and half a game back of the Jazz for fourth place in the Western Conference.

Thunder guard Luguentz Dort drives to the basket in a sea of Lakers, including former OKC Blue guard Alex Caruso (4) during the second quarter Wednesday in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. [KEVIN C. COX/POOL PHOTO VIA AP]

[KEVIN C. COX/POOL PHOTO VIA AP] In their first game since clinching the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, LeBron James and the Lakers struggled to make 3-pointers Wednesday against the Thunder.

[KEVIN C. COX/POOL PHOTO VIA AP] Thunder forward Danilo Gallinari drives to the basket against the Lakers during the second quarter Wednesday in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.