The Los Angeles Lakers collapsed in the second half, falling 102-93 to the Oklahoma City Thunder at Staples Center on Thursday night. Former UCLA Bruins guard Russell Westbrook scored 36 points and had six assists to lead the Thunder from a five-point halftime deficit to a win.
But at least Andrew Bynum wasn't benched for shooting a three-pointer.
Bynum led the Lakers with 25 points and 13 rebounds, making 10 of his 15 field goals. However, Kobe Bryant (7-for-25), Pau Gasol (4-for-11), and Metta World Peace (3-for-13) combined to shoot 28.6% in the loss. Bryant had 23 points and nine rebounds for the Lakers, who shot 41.7% as a team.
The Lakers have dropped three of their last four home games, and their Pacific Division lead fell to a game and a half over the Los Angeles Clippers.
Derek Fisher scored seven points in 16 minutes off the bench for the Thunder in his first game back in Staples Center since being traded to the Houston Rockets on March 16. Kevin Durant added 21 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists for Oklahoma City, who has won five straight games and are the top team in the Western Conference and have the second best record in the NBA at 39-12.
The Lakers continue their hmestand with a pair of weekend home games, beginning with New Orleans on Saturday afternoon at Staples Center.
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