Oklahoma City Thunder rips the Lakers 119-90
Written by Adrian Gregory Glover // May 15, 2012 // NBA, News // 2 Comments
OKLAHOMA CITY—The Thunder smacked the Lakers in Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinal series. There are nicer ways to say it but the way that the Lakers lost this one was not pretty.
Truthfully in two out of their last three games, the Lakers have been defeated with confidence dating back to Game 6 of their series with the Nuggets.
The Thunder is the hands down favorite to win the West so when you observe Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook combining for 52 points it’s not a shocker.
Westbrook threw in 27 points, nine assists and seven rebounds while Durant came through with 25 points and eight boards.
As crushing as the Thunder was, the Lakers have to shoulder some of this upon themselves.
The self-inflicted turnovers and miscommunication on the floor has to be owned by the Lakers. Coach Mike Brown needs to stop relying on his floor general Kobe Bryant to police that squad and get in there and do it himself.
Getting beat is one thing, helping your opponent beat you is another matter.
Ron Artest/Metta World Peace’s favorite target James Harden donated 17 points off the bench for the Thunder, who led by as many as 35.
Andrew Bynum had 20 points and 14 rebounds for Los Angeles. Kobe Bryant added 20.
Game 2 returns to Oklahoma City on Wednesday.
