NBA playoffs: Previewing the second round
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- Oklahoma City Thunder swept the Phoenix Suns 4-0 in the first round, earning a 29.3-point average margin over the Los Angeles Lakers in their four regular-season meetings.
- Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Houston Rockets 4-2 in the first round, advancing to face the Thunder in the West second round.
- Luka Doncic remains out with a Grade 2 hamstring strain since April 2, casting doubt on his availability for the series against the Thunder.
- Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander posted 83 points on 64.2% true shooting across three games vs the Lakers, underscoring the Thunder’s offensive firepower.
Why it matters: The Lakers face a steep uphill battle as the Thunder's 29.3-point regular-season advantage and Doncic's lingering injury shrink viewership, cutting potential ad revenue by millions.
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