OKLAHOMA CITY —
Russell Westbrook had 37 points and 10 rebounds, Kevin Durant scored 26 and the Oklahoma City Thunder held off a second-half charge to beat the improving Los Angeles Lakers 122-105 on Tuesday night.
The Thunder led from start to finish, but had their 18-point lead whittled down to five midway through the fourth quarter. Serge Ibaka, who dodged a suspension after delivering a low blow against Blake Griffin in Oklahoma City’s previous game, hit a 3-pointer and Westbrook had a two-handed slam as the Thunder scored the last 12 points.
Kobe Bryant ended up with 30 points after leaving the game with a right elbow injury in the first quarter. Steve Nash matched his season best with 20 points as the Lakers fell back below .500 after reaching the mark for the first time since December.
Oklahoma City tied an NBA record with two turnovers.
The Thunder will visit the New York Knicks Thursday.
THUNDER 122, LAKERS 105
L.A. LAKERS (105) — World Peace 5-11 3-4 16, Clark 3-8 6-8 13, Howard 1-7 4-8 6, Nash 7-15 4-4 20, Bryant 8-19 11-12 30, Meeks 2-6 2-2 7, Jamison 3-8 1-2 8, Blake 2-3 0-0 5, Sacre 0-0 0-0 0, Duhon 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 31-77 31-40 105.
OKLAHOMA CITY (122) — Durant 9-22 7-8 26, Ibaka 6-8 0-0 13, Perkins 0-5 2-2 2, Westbrook 15-29 7-8 37, Sefolosha 2-4 0-0 5, Collison 2-3 2-2 6, Martin 3-12 2-2 11, Fisher 3-4 2-2 10, Jackson 5-7 0-0 10, Brewer 0-0 0-0 0, Thabeet 1-1 0-0 2, Liggins 0-0 0-0 0, Jones 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 46-96 22-24 122.
L.A. Lakers 28 27 34 16 — 105
Oklahoma City 37 34 26 25 — 122
3-Point Goals—L.A. Lakers 12-29 (World Peace 3-6, Bryant 3-7, Nash 2-6, Blake 1-1, Clark 1-2, Meeks 1-3, Jamison 1-4), Oklahoma City 8-23 (Martin 3-11, Fisher 2-2, Ibaka 1-1, Sefolosha 1-3, Durant 1-3, Jackson 0-1, Westbrook 0-2). Fouled Out—Howard. Rebounds—L.A. Lakers 59 (Howard 16), Oklahoma City 48 (Westbrook 10). Assists—L.A. Lakers 11 (Nash 4), Oklahoma City 20 (Westbrook, Durant, Martin 5). Total Fouls—L.A. Lakers 21, Oklahoma City 27. Technicals—Durant, Fisher. A—18,203 (18,203).
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