Bryant hot as Lakers strike down Thunder
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E-mail Shanghai Daily, January 29, 2013
Kobe Bryant's new pass-friendly approach helped the Los Angeles Lakers overcome the National Basketball Association-leading Oklahoma City Thunder 105-96 on Sunday as they attempt to reverse a woeful start to the season.
Bryant again flashed his all-round game with 21 points, 14 assists and nine rebounds, matching his season-high in assists for a second straight game, earning the hosts a second consecutive win.
"You have to figure out a way to win ball games, and that's what I drew from," Bryant told reporters of his change in style. "It seems like we're starting to come up with our identity and what we're going to become."
Elsewhere, it was: Celtics 100, Heat 98 (in second overtime); Hornets 91, Grizzlies 83; Pistons 104, Magic 102; Knicks 106, Hawks 104; Mavericks 110, Suns 95; and Clippers 96, Trail Blazers 83.
The Lakers trailed the Thunder 86-87 midway through the fourth but took control with a 9-2 run as Bryant engineered the triumph with a dazzling array of shots and passes down the stretch.
NBA-leading scorer Kevin Durant had a game-high 35 points for Oklahoma City but the Thunder, who entered the matinee game with the league's best record, were forced to relinquish their recent control over the Lakers. Oklahoma (34-11) beat Los Angeles in their two prior meetings this season and eliminated it from last season's playoffs in the second round.
In a balanced effort, six Lakers players reached double figures, including Steve Nash's 17 points and Pau Gasol's 16 points off the bench.
"This kind of unity is exactly what we've been searching for and haven't found until these last two games," Gasol said. "Let's see if we can keep it consistent."
Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook made just 6 of 22 shots but added 13 assists and nine rebounds.
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