Thunder uses a 36-2 run to blow out the Lakers, 120-85
Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson attempts to navigate a trio of Thunder defenders for a layup Wednesday night.
For a brief stretch, the Lakers gave the Oklahoma City Thunder a challenge at Staples Center on Wednesday night -- a very brief stretch.
After the Thunder jumped ahead by 15 points in the first quarter, the Lakers fought back to take the lead by three points midway through the second.
Just like that, the Lakers completely fell apart. Following a Kobe Bryant pull-up jumper with 4:05 left in the second quarter, the Thunder would go on to blow out the Lakers with a stunning 36-2 run.
Bryant finally scored to end the drought on a layup with 6:21 left in the third quarter.
The Lakers never recovered, and the Thunder got its second big win over the Lakers, 120-85, after a 40-point embarrassment on Saturday in Oklahoma City.
Russell Westbrook led all scorers with 23 points. He also had eight rebounds and eight assists. Kevin Durant scored 21, Serge Ibaka 17, Enes Kanter 16 and Andre Roberson 15.
The Thunder shot 53.7% from the field, compared to 36% for the Lakers.
Bryant scored 19 to pace the Lakers, but 17 of those came in the first half and he made only seven of 22 from the field. D’Angelo Russell added 18 points.
Julius Randle did not play after injuring an ankle in the Lakers’ win in Denver over the Nuggets on Tuesday. Nick Young did not play because of a stomach ailment.
The Lakers (5-24) will play on Christmas, hosting the Clippers (16-13). The Thunder (20-9) will host the Chicago Bulls (15-11) on the holiday.
Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.
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