Vitals: Thunder at Lakers

Everything you need to know about the Thunder's matchup in Los Angeles.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 11:21 am

By: News On 6

Originally Published: Nov 22, 2009 3:14 PM CDT

Gerald Goodridge
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

Oklahoma City Thunder (7-6) at Los Angeles Lakers (9-3)
Sunday, November 22, 8:30 p.m. CST
Staples Center, Los Angeles
Game 14 of 82

Anticipated Starting Lineups

	Thunder (Away)	Lakers (Home)
PG	Russell Westbrook 16.6 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 7.8 APG	Derrick Fisher 6.3 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 3.2 APG
SG	Thabo Sefolosha 6.3 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 1.8 APG	Kobe Bryant 30.2 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 3.3 APG
SF	Kevin Durant 27.7 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 2.8 APG	Ron Artest 12.0 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 4.2 APG
PF	Jeff Green 15.0 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 1.2 APG	Pao Gasol 24.0 PPG, 13.0 RPG, 3.0 APG
C	Nenad Kristic 9.1 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 0.3 APG	Andrew Bynum 19.4 PPG, 11.4 RPG, 1.4 APG

Injuries:
Oklahoma City: PG Shaun Livingston (knee, out).
Los Angeles: C Andrew Bynum (ankle, probable); F Luke Walton (back, out)

Where to find it?
On TV: NBA League Pass
On Radio: Thunder Radio Network

What you need to know?
The Thunder dominated the Washington Wizards offensively, scoring 30 or more points in each quarter. However, its opponents are averaging 105 points per game over the past five games, which doesn’t bode well when you’re visiting the offensive juggernaut that is the Los Angeles Lakers, who have scored less than 100 points only four times this season.

The Lakers are arguably the most complete team in the NBA. They create matchup issues all over the court with combinations of size and athleticism at every position. Coach Phil Jackson has the perfect set of players to run his triangle offense. Look for them to rack up points against a Thunder squad that is a bit undersized in the front court.

Who to watch?
Rookie guard James Harden is on a scoring tear in the past two games, scoring 24 and 25 points against the Magic and the Wizards respectively, while recording a career high four steals against the Wizards. Harden is one of only two rookies to record 24 points in back-to-back games. Forward Jeff Green is coming off of a double-double against the Wizards and will need another big performance if the Thunder wants to beat the Lakers.

It’s hard not to watch the Lakers star forward/guard Kobe Bryant. The eleven-time NBA All Star can do wonders every time he touches the ball, and is an instant 30 points every time he’s on the floor. But the man that may have a field day against the Thunder is Laker center Andrew Bynum. Even if the Thunder did have a legitimate center, Bynum has a unique combination of size and athleticism that creates matchup problems for everyone.