Thunder takes 2-0 lead over Nuggets
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Oklahoma City Thunder built a big first-half lead on the way to a 106-89 victory over the visiting Denver Nuggets yesterday, taking a 2-0 lead in their NBA first-round playoff series.
Kevin Durant scored 23 points and Russell Westbrook added 21 for the Thunder, who did not rely upon its All-Star duo as much as it did in Game 1, instead getting contributions from everyone to build a 26-point lead early in the second quarter.
Ty Lawson scored 20 points to lead Denver, while Nene and Raymond Felton added 16 points apiece.
Oklahoma City got a balanced performance, with James Harden providing 18 points and Serge Ibaka adding 12 points and 12 rebounds. Kendrick Perkins had 11 rebounds as the Thunder piled up a 41-19 edge on the boards by late in the third quarter.
Denver made a brief rally to get within 86-76 with 8:33 to play.
The series shifts to Denver on Saturday with Oklahoma City leading 2-0.
Spurs 93, Grizzlies 87
In San Antonio, the hosts beat Memphis to squared their series at 1-1.
Manu Ginobili scored 17 points in the All-Star's return after missing Game 1 with an elbow sprain, and wore a thick sleeve to protect his right elbow but played as physically as usual.
Tim Duncan had 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Spurs, and Hill and Richard Jefferson added 16 apiece.
Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol, who combined for 49 points in the opener, were far less dominant in Game 2. Randolph scored 11 points on 5-of-14 shooting and Gasol had 12 points, making just 2 of 9. Gasol had 17 rebounds.
Sam Young had 17 points for the Grizzlies, who opened the series with their first franchise playoff win. His 3-pointer with 14.9 seconds left made it 89-87 before George Hill sealed the win at the free throw line.
Game 3 is Saturday in Memphis.
Lakers 87, Hornets 78
In Los Angeles, the hosts survived poor games from its two biggest stars to even the first-round playoff series against New Orleans.
Andrew Bynum had 17 points and 11 rebounds, Lamar Odom scored 16 points and Ron Artest added 15 as the two-time defending champions rebounded from a stunning loss in the series opener with an improved defensive effort against Chris Paul, who still had 20 points and nine assists.
With Odom's outstanding performance leading strong bench play, the Lakers overcame the struggles of All-Stars Kobe Bryant, who managed just 11 points, and Pau Gasol, who had eight.
Trevor Ariza scored 22 points for the Hornets, who committed 16 turnovers after making just three in Game 1.
Game 3 is Friday in New Orleans.
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