Final
Thunder pay a visit to Lakers
Mar 9, 2014 - 1:30 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The Oklahoma City Thunder will try to be the next team to run up the score on the floundering Los Angeles Lakers when the two Western Conference inhabitants clash Sunday at Staples Center.The Lakers have given up 408 total points in the last three games, allowing an average of 136.0 ppg, and are 29th in opponents' scoring at 107.9 ppg.
Oklahoma City is averaging 105.7 ppg this season and has scored 100-plus points in each of the last six games, including a 128-122 setback at Phoenix on Thursday. The Thunder had a 16-point lead late in the third quarter until the Suns stormed back with a 21-2 run.
One game after recording a triple-double in about 20 minutes versus Philadelphia, Thunder guard Russell Westbrook scored a season-high 36 points on 13-of-22 shooting and made 4-of-9 3-pointers. Westbrook also had nine rebounds, nine assists and four steals.
NBA leading scorer Kevin Durant had 34 points and made 12-of-24 from the field, while Serge Ibaka and newcomer Caron Butler scored 18 and 14 points, respectively, for OKC, which had a three-game winning streak stopped and lost for the fourth time in seven tries.
Durant leads the NBA with 31.8 ppg and has scored 25 or more points in the last 27 games, averaging 35.3 points in that terrific run. He scored 25-plus points in 29 straight games back in 2009-10.
The Thunder, who have a 20-10 road record, are even with San Antonio for the top spot in the Western Conference and will start a three-game homestand next week versus the Houston Rockets, Lakers and Dallas Mavericks.
Oklahoma City hopes to show some of its resiliency in L.A. and is 42-12 in games after a loss since the start of the 2011-12 season.
The Lakers have lost three in a row and 10 of their last 13 games, and dropped a 134-126 decision at Denver on Friday. Pau Gasol led the charge with 27 points, Ryan Kelly and Jordan Farmar scored 24 apiece and Jodie Meeks added 16 in a losing effort.
"We are trying everything we can do," Lakers head coach Mike D'Antoni said. "I don't know if the air has gone out or we are tired or what the problem is."
Los Angeles has been marred by injuries all season and hopes a return home will bear fruitful results. It is 10-20 at Staples Center and has lost two straight and 11 of 13 games as the host.
In injury news, Nick Young (knee) is questionable Sunday and has missed the last seven games. Young once led the Lakers in scoring this season and is averaging 16.8 ppg. Gasol leads L.A. with 17.7 points.
The Lakers will have a few days off before visiting the Thunder on Thursday and are 0-2 against them this season. OKC has won three straight and eight of the last 10 matchups between the teams.
The Thunder won their last visit to Staples Center on Feb. 13, but have a 4-10 record in the last 14 contests as the guest in this series. Durant scored 19 of his game-high 43 points in the fourth quarter in that recent win.
Mar 9 6:13 PM- 210
rootsRUWTbot Added 22 roots (Close Finish, Individual Performance)
Thunder 100, Lakers 105 4th - 2:20Mar 9 6:04 PM - 188
rootsRUWTbot Took away 27 roots (Close Finish, Individual Performance)
Thunder 97, Lakers 104 4th - 3:40Mar 9 5:59 PM - 215
rootsRUWTbot Added 55 roots (Close Finish, Individual Performance)
Thunder 97, Lakers 102 4th - 4:37Mar 9 5:58 PM - 160
rootsRUWTbot Added 40 roots (Close Finish, Individual Performance)
Thunder 94, Lakers 102 4th - 5:00Mar 9 5:54 PM - 120
roots - 119
roots - 127
roots - OKLAHOMA CITY: 75
LOS ANGELES: 87
End of 3rd
Mar 9 5:29 PM - 132
roots - 134
roots - 119
roots - OKLAHOMA CITY: 56
LOS ANGELES: 51
Halftime
Mar 9 4:43 PM - OKLAHOMA CITY: 35
LOS ANGELES: 26
End of 1st
Mar 9 4:08 PM - OKLAHOMA CITY: 3
LOS ANGELES: 0
1st Quarter - 11:36
Mar 9 3:42 PM
Related News
- Lakers Reportedly Willing to Explore Adding Bronny James Feb 15
- Warriors Reportedly Attempted to Trade for LeBron James Feb 14
- Shaquille O’Neal To Be First To Have Jersey Retired by Magic Jan 4
- The Oklahoma City Thunder Have Arrived Jan 3
- LeBron James Has Been At His Best for Many Birthdays Dec 29
- The Chet Holmgren and Victor Wembanyama Rivalry Has Started Early Dec 28
- Lakers show potential vs. Celtics, but work still to be done Dec 25
- Celtics handle Lakers despite Anthony Davis’ strong showing Dec 25
- Lakers vs. Celtics Preview and Game Thread: Rivalry renewed in Christmas tradition Dec 24
- Darvin Ham discusses starting lineup change after win vs. Thunder Dec 24
- Players Grades: Lakers vs. Thunder Dec 24
- LeBron James dominates as Lakers beat Thunder on road Dec 23