Lakers 90, Thunder 87
Pau Gasol had 18 points and 11 rebounds and Kobe Bryant hit the pivotal shot in the final minute as the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the host Oklahoma City Thunder 90-87 Sunday afternoon.
Bryant finished with 17 points and Andrew Bynum added 16 points and 10 rebounds as the Lakers (42-19) won their fourth game in a row.
Russell Westbrook had 22 points but made two critical mistakes in the late stages of the game as the Thunder (36-22) dropped their third straight contest. Kevin Durant added 21 points in defeat.
The Lakers led by one going into the final quarter but saw that lead evaporate quickly. L.A. went back in front with eight minutes remaining but couldn't shake the Thunder, who closed the gap to 88-87 on a Westbrook 3-pointer with 2:01 left.
Bryant responded with a 16-foot jumper with 56 seconds left to give the Lakers a one-point edge. The Thunder tried running plays for Durant on the next two possessions, but Westbrook turned the ball over on one sequence and picked up an offensive foul on the next one.
James Harden had one last chance to tie the game, but missed his a 3-point attempt in the dying seconds.