The Lakers didn't really answer a lot of questions but did stop a frightening backslide when they beat the Oklahoma City Thunder, 87-79, to take a 1-0 lead in their first-round best-of-seven Western Conference playoff series. Game 2 is Tuesday at the Staples Center.
Kobe Bryant led the Lakers in scoring with 21 points, while Pau Gasol added 19 and Andrew Bynum had 13. It was Bynum's ffirst game back after missing four weeks and two days. He finished with 11 rebounds.
Kevin Durant had 24 points to lead the Thunder and Russell Westbrook added 23. Durant was only seven-of-24 shooting from the field, including one of eight from three-point range.
Fourth quarter, 1:30, Lakers 84, Thunder 74
The Lakers got the lead back to eight when Pau Gasol made two free throws after being fouled by Russell Westbrook. But the Thunder got it back to an uncomfortable seven when Serge Ibaka made one of two free throws with 1:40 to play. Derek Fisher had a flash from the past when he sank a three-pointer to lengthen the lead to 10. It was his first field goal since the first quarter.
Fourth quarter, 2:45, Lakers 79, Thunder 73. The Lakers continue to struggle putting their opponent away, allowing the Thunder into a game they should probably be out of. While Andrew Bynum has made a big difference, Ron Artest picking up his fifth foul with 6:33 to play hurt.
Still, Kobe Bryant was the guy making the shots when they needed them. Jordan Farmar actually kept the Lakers ahead early in the fourth quarter with a two and a three.
But Bryant has also struggled at the line. Twice he missed both foul shots. The Thunder closed it to six points with about 3 1/2 minutes to play and missed a chance to close it to four.
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