Thunder 120 - 106 Lakers
Final
  for this game

Thunder beat Lakers with late run

Apr 11, 2011 - 5:19 AM Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Kevin Durant finished with 31 points and Russell Westbrook scored 26, as the Oklahoma City Thunder pulled away to beat the sliding Lakers, 120-106, at Staples Center.

The Thunder ended the game on a 17-2 run to win their fourth consecutive contest and get their first victory over the Lakers in Los Angeles since moving to Oklahoma City.

James Harden totaled 16 points off the bench for Oklahoma City, which sits in fourth place in the Western Conference. The Lakers and Dallas, which routed Phoenix earlier Sunday, are both a game ahead.

Kobe Bryant netted 31 points to lead the Lakers, who have dropped a season- high five consecutive games. They also suffered their first home loss when leading after three quarters.

"I don't know why we started forcing it in the fourth quarter," said Lakers head coach Phil Jackson. "We have to get our rhythm back. We're not sharp as a defensive group."

Los Angeles held a 90-88 edge after three quarters and were still up, 104-103, after Bryant's three-point play with 3:10 to go.

However, the Thunder began their surge on the next possession, when Thabo Sefolosha drilled a three.

Los Angeles ruined a number of its following touches with turnovers -- after committing only one through three quarters -- while Oklahoma City built a lead. The Lakers had nine turnovers in the fourth quarter alone.

Westbrook sank a layup with 1:17 left, giving Oklahoma City a six-point lead. With the Lakers on the brink of falling too far behind, Ron Artest and Bryant both missed a three at the other end. Westbrook followed with a four-point play, making it a 114-104 game with 40.4 seconds left and effectively securing the win.

"Defense got us the basketball, and we made big shots," Durant said. "Everybody did a good job. Tonight was a step in the right direction."

Westbrook scored 16 points in the first quarter to help the Thunder grab a 36-31 advantage, and they held a 66-64 edge at the break. Oklahoma City never trailed in the first half and led by as many as 12.

Game Notes

Westbrook also had seven assists and six rebounds for OKC, which shot 56 percent...The Lakers fell to 26-1 when leading after three quarters at home this season...Pau Gasol had 26 points for LA, while Andrew Bynum provided 12 points and 13 boards.






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