Los Angeles Lakers Fall To OKC Thunder 104-103
- Updated: December 19, 2014
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, right, tries to get by Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 19, 2014, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Los Angeles Lakers fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday night, 104-103. Kobe Bryant missed a potential game-winner as the Lakers fall to 8-18 on the season, 3-10 at home.
The Los Angeles Lakers were coming off a blowout loss to the Indiana Pacers on Monday night and they were looking to string a couple of wins before the holidays.
Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Kevin Durant sat out of Friday night’s game as he suffered an ankle injury Thursday night against the Golden State Warriors.
Ronnie Price sparked the Lakers offense early, scoring 14 points with 4 three-pointers, giving the Lakers a double-digit lead early in the 1st quarter. The Lakers lead most of the first half, until a last-minute run by the Thunder gave them a 52-50 lead into the locker room.
The Thunder looked to be in control in the 3rd quarter, powered by their bench as Anthony Morrow hit a three-pointer at the buzzer to give the Thunder an 82-73 edge. The Lakers bench, front lined by Jeremy Lin and Carlos Boozer, kept the game close and eventually took the lead midway through the 4th quarter.
In crunch time, the Thunder were holding on to a one-point lead with 6.3 seconds left in the game; Kobe Bryant missed a 17-foot potential game-winner, a shot he used to make with ease in years prior.
Kobe Bryant, who was honored pregame after passing Michael Jordan for 3rd on the All-Time Scoring list, had an off-night finishing with only 9 points on 3-15 shooting. He also dished out 8 assists and grabbed 8 rebounds.
The Lakers shot 48% from the field and 40% from beyond the arc (10-25). Ed Davis had a season-high 18 points with 9 rebounds and Jordan Hill, who was coming off an upper respiratory infection, finished with 10 points.
Nick Young was ejected early in the 4th quarter for shoving Steven Adams with a forearm on the throat, trying to fight off a screen. He left the game with 10 points. This gave more minutes to Wayne Ellington as he hit 3 three-pointers off the bench. Jeremy Lin made key plays down the stretch finishing with 12 points and Carlos Boozer finished with 14 points.
Russell Westbrook continued his outstanding play, powering the Thunder with 31 points and 10 assists. Reggie Jackson also had a solid game, complimenting Westbrook, finishing with 25 points off the bench. The Thunder improve to a 13-14 record.
The Lakers travel up north to Sacramento and take on the Kings on Sunday night, 6:30 p.m. PST.
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