Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Kevin Durant poured in a game-high 42
points to go with eight rebounds and five assists on Friday, as the Oklahoma
City Thunder routed the reeling Los Angeles Lakers, 116-101, at Staples
Center.
Russell Westbrook posted a double-double with 27 points and 10 assists, while
Kevin Martin added 15 points for the Thunder, who have won four of their last
five.
Kobe Bryant led the Lakers with 28 points and Antawn Jamison donated 19 points
and 10 rebounds for Los Angeles, which has lost six straight for the first
time since a seven-game slide from March 2-15, 2007.
A back-and-forth first quarter found the teams locked at 25-25 after 12
minutes. A Durant free throw re-tied the game early in the second before
Martin netted five straight points to provide the Thunder with a 36-31
advantage.
Los Angeles trimmed the deficit to three after a Metta World Peace layup a bit
later, but the Thunder answered with a 7-0 surge, capped by Martin's corner
3-pointer to make it 47-37 with 5:17 left in the half.
OKC pulled away for good late in the frame, as a 9-0 surge quickly turned a
slim five-point edge into a 59-45 advantage with 1:24 left in the second.
Durant then knocked down a 3-pointer with under a second remaining in the half
to send the Thunder into the break holding a comfortable 64-48 advantage.
Los Angeles never threatened in the second half, as the Thunder scored the
first six points of the third to push the margin to 22.
Oklahoma City carried a 93-73 advantage into the fourth before cruising to
victory over the final 12 minutes.
GAME NOTES:
The Thunder have won both meetings this season after beating the Lakers in
five games in last year's Western Conference semifinals ... Lakers forward
Jordan Hill missed his third straight game because of an injured left hip that
will require season-ending surgery ... World Peace added 12 points in the
loss ... Westbrook also grabbed seven rebounds.
The Sports Network