Lakers Eliminate Oklahoma City

Originally Published: Apr 30, 2010 9:38 PM CDT

Andrew Topps
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Russell Westbrook’s last second heave fell short as the Los Angeles Lakers squeaked out a 95-94 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Lakers win the series 4-2 and advance to the Western Conference Semifinals with the victory.

Kevin Durant had 26 points for the Thunder. He connected on just 5-of-23 from the floor but hit 14-of-15 from the free-throw line. Nenad Krstic added 11 points and 11 rebounds. Westbrook finished with 21 and Jeff Green added 16.

The Lakers took a 91-84 advantage with 4:41, but the Thunder went on an 8-0 run to take a one point lead. Westbrook converted a three-point play to put Oklahoma City on top 92-91. Oklahoma City would end on a 10-0 spurt to go up 94-91.

But a lack of boxing out would cost the young team late.

Pau Gasol cleaned up Kobe Bryant’s mess with a last second putback to give Lakers the one-point lead. Bryant missed a jumper with five seconds left, but Gasol was able to tip it in with .5 seconds left.

Bryant finished with 32 points while Gasol grabbed 18 boards to go along with nine points.

Bryant scored eight points (six straight) to open the third quarter to take a seven point lead. But the Thunder answered back going on an 8-2 run to tie the game at 63-63. Bryant continued his takeover of the game, scoring 16 points in the third quarter. A Derek Fisher 3-pointer with 16 seconds left broke a 73-73 tie to give the Lakers the lead.

Oklahoma City could not hold its one point lead at the beginning of the second quarter. Shannon Brown scored seven points in four minutes to put Los Angeles on top 35-34.

Durant scored 10 second-quarter points for the Thunder to boost his total to 14 for the game. He missed his first seven shots, but was 9-of-10 from the free-throw line. Krstic added 11 points to go along with eight rebounds.

The Lakers went on a 9-0 to take a 13-6 lead midway through the fourth quarter. The Thunder responded by going on an 11-5 run to take a 24-23 advantage with 1:07 left in the first quarter. Oklahoma City ended the first quarter up 27-26.

Krstic led the Thunder with nine first quarter points to go along with five rebounds.

Bryant had nine points in the first frame as well, despite going 3-for-11 from the floor.

The Lakers will play the Utah Jazz in the conference semifinals.