Kevin Durant has a comparable scoring average to Kobe Bryant the past two months. Since Dec. 8, Bryant has averaged 29.0 points, Durant 28.0.
"Kobe is a great player. I can't compare myself to him at all," Durant said. "To me every game is fun. I love this game so much. Playing against Kobe is only going to make me better. He's a player who can do everything - play defense, score and help his team. I can learn a lot from him." West Coast trip
The Lakers lead the league in scoring (108.8). Oklahoma City is 21st but has averaged 108.1 points the past nine games.
"We have a great challenge ahead with these next two games," coach Scott Brooks said. "Weplay the best team in Basketball (Lakers) and then play back-to-back and play Portland. That's a great challenge but we're looking forward to it."
Turnover improvement
Last in the league in turnovers, the Thunder committed only 11 against Sacramento.
"For the most part our turnovers were under control," Brooks said. "That's been a nemesis for us all year, something that's bit us a few too many times. We also had a little bit better defensive effort but not enough. We need to sustain it and play (defense) for 48 minutes."
Krstic Q&A
Nenad Krstic, signed on Dec. 20, has appeared in 15 games, averaging 8.8 points and 5.3 rebounds.
Q: How do you like Oklahoma City?
A: It's peaceful. I lived in New York for four years. New York is a lot of fun but here you can find your peace. I like the people here. Everybody is so nice.
Q: Do people recognize you?
A: Sometimes. Sometimes I'm the tall guy on the Thunder. Sometimes they know my name. A few call me Krispy (the nickname given to him by Desmond Mason). It's fun for me, but I'm still getting used to it.
Q: How do you see this franchise the next couple of years?
A: We're a young team, a young organization. A new team. The arena is always full. It's a good situation. We just need to grow up. We'll get better next year. We're already getting better.
Q: Since you live in Serbia, where will you be during the All-Star break?
A: Miami. I have friends there. It will be sort of like a vacation.
