The defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers kick off a
quick two-game road trip Tuesday, when they face the improved Oklahoma City
Thunder at Ford Center.
The Lakers finished a season-opening three-game homestand in positive fashion
on Sunday, when Kobe Bryant had a game-high 41 points to go with eight
rebounds and five steals as Los Angeles took a 118-110 win over the Atlanta
Hawks.
Lamar Odom just missed a triple-double, ending with 11 points, 14 rebounds and
eight helpers for the Lakers, who used an 18-0 run in the third quarter to
grab the win and rebound from a loss to Dallas on Friday. Andrew Bynum added
21 points in the victory.
"We picked up our intensity tonight, and it started with number 37," Bryant
said of Ron Artest, who ended with 12 points and seven rebounds. "His energy
changed the pace of the game."
The Thunder, meanwhile, lost for the first time on Sunday, when Portland's
Steve Blake had 18 points and Brandon Roy scored 16 in the Blazers' 83-74
victory over Oklahoma City.
Russell Westbrook scored 23 points for the Thunder, who were hurt by an awful
shooting night by Kevin Durant. Jeff Green totaled 19 points and 11 rebounds
and Durant scored 16, but ended 3-of-21 from the field.
Westbrook had nine of Oklahoma City's 19 turnovers as the Thunder lost for the
first time in three games this season.
"We definitely have to move the ball and you have to make shots to make
assists," said Thunder guard Kevin Ollie. "The ball movement was a little
stagnant. It's something we've been working on and we'll get better."
The Lakers have won nine straight over the Oklahoma City franchise, including
all three matchups last season.
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