- 1
- 2
- next
- | single page
|
Thunder forward Kevin Durant scored a game-high 42 points against the Lakers on Friday night at Staples Center. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times / January 11, 2013) |
Thunder 116 - Lakers 101 (end of regulation)
The fourth quarter was a chore and nothing more for the Lakers and Thunder as the road team coasted to a 15-point victory at Staples Center.
Kevin Durant poured in 42 points on 16-25 shooting. Russell Westbrook had 27 points and 10 assists while Kevin Martin chipped in 15 off the bench. The Thunder shot 50.6% from the field as they improve to 27-8.
The Lakers, playing without Dwight Howard (shoulder), Pau Gasol (concussion) and Steve Blake (abdominal surgery), were easily overmatched by one of the best teams in the league. Now the Lakers (15-21) will be without Jordan Hill for the remainder of the season with a hip injury.
Kobe Bryant led the Lakers with 28 points on 8-23 shooting. Metta World Peace put up 18 shots, making five for 12 points. Antawn Jamison was solid with 19 points (8-17 shooting) and 10 rebounds.
Earl Clark, in his first start with the team, notched a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
The Lakers shot 39.8% from the field. After a day off, the team will next host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday.
Thunder 93 - Lakers 73 (end of third quarter)
Kevin Durant continued to dominate the Lakers, notching 40 points and eight rebounds through three quarters. The Thunder All-Star forward hit 15-22 shots while his team shot 53.8% from the field.
The Lakers seemed lost for most of the period but closed within 20 on a late three-pointer from Kobe Bryant. The Lakers shot just 37.8% from the field with just two players in double figures. Bryant had 26 on 7-19 shooting but hit 10 of 13 from the line. Antawn Jamison scored 17 on 7-13 shooting.
Earl Clark's hot start slowed, still on eight points. The forward also had eight rebounds and three blocked shots.
Thunder 64 - Lakers 48 (halftime)
The Lakers kept close to the Thunder for much of the third. Down five (50-45) with 3:16 left in the half, the Thunder outscored the Lakers 14-3 to head into the break with a 16-point lead.
Kevin Durant had 25 in just 21 minutes, shooting 10-15 from the field. Russell Westbrook heated up late, scoring 10 with seven assists. Kevin Martin contributed 10 off the bench as the Thunder shot 59.1% from the field.
Kobe Bryant scored 16 points on 5-10 shooting as the lone Laker in double-figures. Earl Clark and Metta World Peace had eight apiece but World Peace shot 4-14 to get there. As a team the Lakers hit 41.7% from the field.
Midway through the period, the Lakers announced that Jordan Hill will miss the remainder of the season with a hip injury.
Lakers 25 - Thunder 25 (end of first quarter)
Despite playing short-handed, the Lakers withstood an early punch from the Thunder to finish the quarter tied at 25.
The Thunder scored nine straight points to take a 21-12 lead. After falling behind by 11, the Lakers reeled off the final 11 of the quarter.
Kevin Durant led all scorers with nine points. Russell Westbrook shot just 1-5 from the field for three points but had five assists as the Thunder collectively shot 47.6% from the field.
