Bryant lifts Lakers past Thunder

Basketball Betting Lines

02/25/2009 - Oklahoma City, OK (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Kobe Bryant scored a game-high 36 points, as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Oklahoma City Thunder, 107-93, at Ford Center.

Bryant moved into 19th place on the NBA's career scoring list, ahead of Adrian Dantley. During the Lakers' 111-108 victory at Minnesota on Sunday, Bryant passed Elgin Baylor for 20th.

Paul Gasol added 14 points, eight rebounds, and six assists for the Lakers, who have won five in a row. Derek Fisher poured in 12 points, while Luke Walton ended with 11 points, five boards, and four helpers. Jordan Farmar added 10 points off the bench.

Oklahoma City was paced by Kevin Durant, who finished with 32 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists. Kyle Weaver added 16 points off the bench for a struggling Thunder team, who have dropped six straight. Russell Westbrook ended with 14 points, while Jeff Green poured in 10 points and pulled down nine boards in defeat.

After going on an 8-2 surge to end the third frame, the Thunder rallied off six consecutive points to start the final frame. Nick Collison's hook shot topped off the spurt and cut the home team's gap to just one, 75-74.

Trailing 81-80 with under nine minutes to play, Bryant essentially lifted his team to victory by scoring six unanswered points to give the Lakers a five- point cushion.

LA, ignited by Bryant, used that energy to control the remainder of the game. Oklahoma City never got closer than five points the rest of the way.

Walton spurred the Lakers on a 14-4 run to begin the contest. He tallied seven points during the surge and topped it off with a layup with under 7 1/2 minutes left.

Los Angeles was comfortably ahead for the remainder of the first quarter, and took a 32-22 lead into the second period.

Ahead 34-27 early in the second frame, LA ripped off 10 straight points to go up 44-27. Farmar's 18-foot jumper capped off the run with just over 7 1/2 minutes until the half.

The Thunder were able to cut into the Lakers lead somewhat, but Los Angeles took a 56-44 advantage into the locker room.

Trailing 73-60 late in the third frame, Oklahoma City finished the final 3:04 of the period on an 8-2 spurt to cut the Lakers' lead to seven, 75-68. Durant's three-pointer culminated the surge. The Thunder carried their momentum into the final 12 minutes of action.

Game Notes

The Lakers shot 52.6 percent from the field, while the Thunder hit 41.8 percent of their shots...LA went 7-of-15 from beyond the arc, compared to Oklahoma City which shot 5-of-15 from three-point land...The Lakers owned the boards, 45-30...LA handed Oklahoma City a 105-98 loss on February 10 at Staples Center and has won eight straight and 10 of the last 11 meetings.

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