The Los Angeles Lakers took an absolute beating in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semi-Finals to lose, 119-90, to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Thunder jumped out to a 30-23 advantage after 12 minutes of play. Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant led the way with eight points apiece. However, Andrew Bynum kept the Lakers in it with 10 points and five rebounds. Metta World Peace added six points after converting on two three-pointers in the period.
In the second Pau Gasol got going a little bit, as did Kobe Bryant. However, Russell Westbrook and James Harden came out extremely aggressive, and pumped up the lead to 15 with a score of 59-44.
The third quarter definitely was not kind to the Lakers either, as they were outscored 39-24 in the period and entered the fourth quarter with a 98-68 point deficit.
The fourth quarter was basically meaningless as reserves from both sides played the majority of the period. In the end the Lakers lost, 119-90.
The Numbers
Kobe Bryant led the Lakers with 20 points, three rebounds, and two assists. Andrew Bynum also had 20 points, and pulled down 14 rebounds (four offensive). Metta World Peace added 12 points while Pau Gasol notched 10 points and seven rebounds (five offensive). Matt Barnes contributed eight points and Jordan Hill chipped in with four points and six rebounds (three offensive). Ramon Sessions had just two points and three assists while Steve Blake was scoreless, but had four rebounds and four assists. The rest of the points all came in garbage time for the likes of Andrew Goudelock (five), Darius Morris (five), Devin Ebanks (two), and Josh McRoberts (two).
As for the Nuggets, Russell Westbrook dominated with 27 points, nine assists, seven rebounds, and two steals. Kevin Durant had 25 points, eight points, and four rebounds. James Harden added 17 points while Daequan Cook had eight points. Thabo Sefalosha, who hounded Bryant much of the game, and Nazr Mohammed chipped in with seven points each. Serge Ibaka added six points, four rebounds, and two blocks. Former Laker Derek Fisher tallied five points while Nick Collison (four rebounds) and Kendrick Perkins (two blocks) had four points apiece. Cole Aldrich (seven points, six rebounds) and Royal Ivey (two points, two rebounds, and two steals) got their numbers in garbage time.
Now, let’s break down the loss.
Next Page: The Breakdown