The Oklahoma City Thunder nullified Kobe Bryant to snap the Los Angeles Lakers’ seven game winning streak with a 91-75 victory on Friday.
Bryant had nine turnovers and scored just 11 points as the Lakers produced their lowest scoring total of the season.
The win also ended the Thunder’s 12-game losing streak to the Lakers. They had not beaten the Western Conference’s top team since 2006.
PHOTO: EPA
“We’re growing up,” forward Kevin Durant, who had 26 points, told reporters. “We’re maturing as a group throughout the season and I think it was a good job of showing that tonight.”
Russell Westbrook added 23 for the Thunder, who rank sixth in the Western Conference playoff race behind the leading Lakers.
Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks credited guard Thabo Sefolosha’s aggressive defensive play for Bryant’s off night.
“If you’re going to be considered one of the better defenders you have to guard the best players,” Brooks said.
“You can’t get your feelings hurt when you get scored on and Thabo doesn’t. He wipes it away and comes back next possession with great energy and great effort,” he said.
Bryant had five turnovers in the first quarter and was just four-of-11 shooting for the game.
“They did a great job defensively, it was a team effort and they did a great job executing their game plan,” Bryant said.
Oklahoma City (44-27) set the game’s tone with a 13-4 run to start play and built the lead to 53-34 at the half.
Center Nenad Krstic and Westbrook also played big roles in the quick start.
Westbrook scored 13 points in the opening quarter, and Krstic grabbed nine of his game-high 10 rebounds.
“He [Krstic] really controlled the paint on the defensive rebounds there,” Brooks said.
Lakers big man Pau Gasol finished with just nine points.
“Nenad did a good job of using his body and strength to stay in front of him [Gasol] and not give him easy angles to the basket,” Brooks said.
A 16-2 spurt to close the third quarter put the Thunder in front 80-47.
“We never bragged or never got into the crowd,” Durant said of the streaks.
“We just got back on defense and we were locked in on the defensive end. It showed that we were getting better,” he said.
NETS 118, PISTONS 110
At East Rutherford, New Jersey, the New Jersey Nets eliminated any chance of finishing with the worst record in NBA history by beating the Detroit Pistons on Friday night.
Brook Lopez had a career-high 37 points and Yi Jianlian had a career-best 31 to lead the Nets to their ninth win. For the first time this season, the Nets have won two consecutive games.
Even if New Jersey (9-63) loses its final 10 games, it can do no worse than equal the league mark for the worst record (9-73), set by the Philadelphia 76ers in 1972 to 1973.
Tayshaun Prince had 27 points for the Pistons, who lost their seventh in a row and 14th in 16 games.
SPURS 102, CAVALIERS 97
At San Antonio, Manu Ginobili scored 15 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter as San Antonio ended Cleveland’s eight-game win streak.
Ginobili shot 4 of 7 in the fourth, including two 3-pointers and a stretch of four straight Spurs baskets. It was the third 30-point game for Ginobili since being forced into the starting lineup this month when Tony Parker broke his right hand.
LeBron James had 27 points for Cleveland, but the Cavs watched their winning streak slip away with six scoreless possessions down the stretch.
HEAT 87, BUCKS 74
At Milwaukee, Dwyane Wade had 30 points, seven assists and seven rebounds, leading Miami to a win in a game overshadowed when Bucks forward Carlos Delfino was taken from the court on a stretcher after a knock to the head.
Heat center Jermaine O’Neal also left in the first quarter after hyperextending his right knee.
Delfino’s frightening injury happened late in the first half.
After driving to the basket for a layup, he stumbled and landed face down in the lane. In the ensuing scramble for the ball, Udonis Haslem jumped up, grabbed the rebound and inadvertently landed on the back of Delfino’s head.
The Bucks said Delfino was moving all extremities and was taken to a hospital for X-rays because of pain in his head and jaw.
In other NBA action, it was:
• Celtics 94, Kings 86
• Nuggets 97, Raptors 96
• Pacers 122, Jazz 106
• Magic 106, Timberwolves 97
• 76ers 105, Hawks 98
• Bobcats 107, Wizards 96
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