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Thunder 107, Lakers 103
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry (print and digital media). A freelance writer/stay-at-home dad since 2008, Hawkins started his career with newspaper stints in Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Upstate New York and Illinois, where he earned the 2004 APSE first-place award for column writing (under 40,000 circulation). As a beat writer, he covered NASCAR Winston Cup events at NHIS (1999-2003), the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks (2003-06) and the NFL's Carolina Panthers (2011-12). Hawkins penned four youth sports books, including a Michael Jordan biography. Hawkins' main hobbies include mountain bike riding, 5k trail runs at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., and live music.
All posts by Jeff HawkinsUpdated15 Oct 2021
LOS ANGELES — Forward Kevin Durant scored 31 of his 43 points in the second half, rallying the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 107-103 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night at Staples Center.
Durant, who also had 12 rebounds and seven assists, scored 19 in the fourth quarter as Oklahoma City wiped out a 13-point deficit.
The Thunder (43-12) won their third in a row and their 15th in the last 17 games. The Lakers (18-35) fell for the seventh consecutive time at home, setting a franchise mark for consecutive home defeats. They also are tied with the Sacramento Kings for the worst record in the Western Conference at the All-Star break.
Guard Reggie Jackson scored 16 points for the Thunder.
Lakers center Chris Kaman, who finished with 19 points and 10 rebounds, scored on a layup and was fouled with 22.5 seconds remaining, cutting the Thunder’s lead to 103-102. Kaman missed the free throw.
Former Lakers guard Derek Fisher hit two free throws with 16.8 seconds left to give the Thunder a 105-102 lead. After Los Angeles guard Steve Blake hit a free throw to cut the margin to two, Durant canned two foul shots to secure the win.
The Lakers led by as much as 12 in the first half before taking a 54-45 lead at the break. Point guard Kendall Marshall and forward Shawne Williams were the Lakers’ catalysts. Williams scored 10 of his 13 first-half points in the second quarter, hitting all three of his 3-pointers, while Marshall scored 12 points and dished out nine assists.
In the third, the Lakers increased their lead to 71-57 after Williams beat Thunder guard Jeremy Lamb back for a layup with five minutes remaining. Oklahoma City cut the gap to 82-72 by the end of the quarter.
After a 3-point basket by Lakers forward Ryan Kelly opened the fourth, the Thunder answered with 17-5 run for an 89-87 lead after Durant scored on a drive midway through the quarter.
Los Angeles forward Wesley Johnson scored 19, while Williams added 15. Marshall finished with 14 points and 17 assists.
Lakers point guard Steve Nash sat out the game due to nerve root irritation in his back.
NOTES: Thunder F Kevin Durant scored 30 or more points for the 33rd time this season, tops in the NBA. He has eight games with 40 points or more, also the best total in the league. … With PG Kendall Marshall and G Steve Blake starting together for the first time, the Lakers fielded their 27th starting lineup in 53 games. … Los Angeles held the Thunder to 29.2 percent (seven of 24) in the first quarter while making 43.5 percent (10 of 23) of its attempts. For the game, the Lakers shot 48.2 percent, while the Thunder shot 44.3 percent. … Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks said he would take a different approach in guiding the West All-Stars this time: “A couple of years ago I didn’t rest,” Brooks said. “I was worried about practice and pregame and timeout huddles and halftime speeches. That’s not happening this year. I’m going to go there and enjoy it and be thankful I’m able to coach some of the greatest players in the world.”
