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Los Angeles Lakers (2-1) at Oklahoma City Thunder (2-1), 8 p.m.

Published online on Tuesday, Nov. 03, 2009

By Sports Network - The Sports Network
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The defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers kick off a quick two-game road trip Tuesday, when they face the improved Oklahoma City Thunder at Ford Center.

The Lakers finished a season-opening three-game homestand in positive fashion on Sunday, when Kobe Bryant had a game-high 41 points to go with eight rebounds and five steals as Los Angeles took a 118-110 win over the Atlanta Hawks.

Lamar Odom just missed a triple-double, ending with 11 points, 14 rebounds and eight helpers for the Lakers, who used an 18-0 run in the third quarter to grab the win and rebound from a loss to Dallas on Friday. Andrew Bynum added 21 points in the victory.

"We picked up our intensity tonight, and it started with number 37," Bryant said of Ron Artest, who ended with 12 points and seven rebounds. "His energy changed the pace of the game."

The Thunder, meanwhile, lost for the first time on Sunday, when Portland's Steve Blake had 18 points and Brandon Roy scored 16 in the Blazers' 83-74 victory over Oklahoma City.

Russell Westbrook scored 23 points for the Thunder, who were hurt by an awful shooting night by Kevin Durant. Jeff Green totaled 19 points and 11 rebounds and Durant scored 16, but ended 3-of-21 from the field.

Westbrook had nine of Oklahoma City's 19 turnovers as the Thunder lost for the first time in three games this season.

"We definitely have to move the ball and you have to make shots to make assists," said Thunder guard Kevin Ollie. "The ball movement was a little stagnant. It's something we've been working on and we'll get better."

The Lakers have won nine straight over the Oklahoma City franchise, including all three matchups last season.


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