WEDNESDAY'S LATE NBA
THUNDER 120, LAKERS 85
LOS ANGELES -- Russell Westbrook had 23 points, 8 assists and 8 rebounds, and the Oklahoma City Thunder steamrolled the Los Angeles Lakers for the second time in five days, 120-85 on Wednesday night.
Kevin Durant added 21 points for the Thunder in a rematch of their game at Oklahoma City, when they trounced the Lakers 118-78 with runs of 18-0 and 17-2.
Kobe Bryant didn't play that night because of a sore right shoulder, but his presence made little difference this time, as the Thunder blew the game wide open with a 22-0 burst during the first 5:21 of the third quarter to build a 79-46 lead.
The Thunder, whose string of six consecutive Northwest Division titles ended last season when they finished second behind Portland and missed the playoffs due to a rash of injuries, lead their division again with a 20-9 record under rookie Coach Billy Donovan.
Bryant, who equaled a season-high with 31 points Tuesday night in the Lakers' 111-107 victory at Denver, played on consecutive nights for the fourth time this season and finished with 19 points on 7 of 22 shooting in 27 minutes.
The Thunder, back at Staples Center two nights after beating the Clippers 100-99, won for the ninth time in 10 games. They've beaten the Lakers six consecutive times, matching the longest such streak by the Oklahoma City/Seattle SuperSonics franchise.
Oklahoma City led 57-46 at halftime after shooting 56 percent and ending the second quarter with a 14-2 run after the Lakers erased a 15-point deficit. Westbrook and Serge Ibaka each scored 14 points in the half, offsetting 17 by Bryant.
Los Angeles made only six of its first 23 shots but pulled ahead 35-33 with a 21-6 run. Bryant had a three-point play, then drained a three-pointer before setting up No.1 draft pick D'Angelo Russell for a go-ahead three-pointer that capped the rally with 7:18 left in the second quarter.
Bryant had a rough first quarter with Durant guarding him. He had a baseline jumper blocked by the 6-foot-9 forward and went 0 for 4 from three-point range -- including an airball from in front of the Lakers' bench.
WARRIORS 103, JAZZ 85
OAKLAND, Calif. -- Klay Thompson scored 20 points, Stephen Curry added 16 with 9 assists and the Golden State Warriors remained unbeaten at home with a victory over the Utah Jazz.
Andrew Bogut added 10 points and 13 rebounds while Draymond Green had 15 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists for the Warriors (27-1) in their final tuneup before an NBA Finals rematch against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers today.
Golden State led by 10 with less than 6 minutes remaining before Curry's second three-pointer of the game sparked a 14-5 run to help the Warriors seal the victory. It was their 13th consecutive victory at home this season and the 31st victory at Oracle Arena dating to last season -- an ongoing franchise record.
Derrick Favors had 17 points and 9 rebounds for the Jazz, who have lost 5 of 7.
Sports on 12/25/2015