Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Pau Gasol poured in 25 points and pulled down 11 rebounds, and the Los Angeles Lakers crushed the Thunder, 111-87, to move ahead after five games of their Western Conference quarterfinal series.
Game 5: Upstart Thunder Have Defending Champion Lakers Reeling
Kobe Bryant had 13 points and seven assists, but was able to rest his sore right knee by not playing the fourth quarter. The Lakers dropped the previous two games in Oklahoma City, including a 21-point rout Saturday night, but the defending NBA champions never trailed in keeping home-court advantage.
Bryant played defense on Russell Westbrook, forcing the Oklahoma City guard into eight turnovers while limiting him to 15 points and six assists.
“[Bryant] was a big factor to be able to stop Westbrook, contain him and make sure he doesn’t get into the lane as much as he has,” Gasol said. “He took his time, took his shots and was aggressive. Overall it was just a great effort.”
Andrew Bynum added 21 points and 11 rebounds for the top-seeded Lakers, who scored the game's first 10 points and were up by as many as 16 in a dominating opening quarter.
Kevin Durant went just 5-of-14 from the field and ended with 17 points for the Thunder, who will host Game 6 Friday.
"They controlled the game from the opening tap," Thunder coach Scott Brooks said. "It's not the way we wanted to play tonight. Unfortunately, it happened. They won their home game. We just have to go home and take care of our home court and make that seventh game."
The Lakers shot 14-of-21 in the opening quarter, while holding the Thunder to 6-of-23. Bynum made all four of his shots for eight points in the period.
“I thought our ball movement was better, penetration was a big key,” Bryant said. “I was getting inside the teeth of their defense and making plays from there.”
Gasol started the game by sinking a jump hook and Derek Fisher added a layup. Bryant fed Bynum for an alley-oop jam. Bynum then sank a layup and another dunk for the 10-0 cushion four minutes into the game.
“They got some easy dunks early on and that got their whole team excited, from the bench on up to the first guy,” Durant said. “They just kind of cruised from there.”
Bryant’s jumper increased the margin to 24-8 with three minutes left in the period and the Lakers held a commanding 31-16 lead going to the second.
The difference never dipped under 15 in the second, and went to 50-30 on Gasol’s layup with 2 1/2 minutes left in the quarter. It was 55-34 at the half.
A three-point play by Gasol drove the Lakers to a 62-36 advantage and the hosts held an 88-60 lead going to the fourth. Bryant was on the bench having his right knee wrapped while the Lakers were on cruise control in the final 12 minutes.
The Lakers shot 53.8 percent compared to 36.9 for the Thunder...Ron Artest and Jordan Farmar each had 14 points for the Lakers, who have won 10 straight home games against the Thunder franchise...Serge Ibaka had 12 points, James Harden 11 and Etan Thomas 10 in defeat.
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