J.D.

The Spurs have the Thunders number.

The Nuggets are always a tough out against them.

Another team knocks them off to help the Lakers' chances to go all the way to the finals.

But I don't think this squad, healthy Luka or not, are beating this team.

Because a big part of this is they shut down Luka.

That's what they do.

They're really, really good at it.

They have all these defensive guys, you know, led by Lou Dort, and they play them physical.

And it just sucks for Laker Nation here that they just hold their breath here this morning and see how severe this is.

This was almost a one-quarter game.

The Lakers turned the ball over eight times in the first quarter, looked completely sped up by the Thunder defense.

Marcus Smart...

was out.

So no chance guarding Shea Gildress Alexander, who dominated.

J-Dub was really good with the playmaking.

OKC hit 19 threes.

They are 19 and two this season when they make 16 or more.

If they have a good shooting night, you're not going to beat them.

So the recipe for the Lakers right now, they got five games left, like you're saying, but they're only a game up on Denver.

They have locked in tiebreakers after over all these teams that are chasing them.