With the defending champs in town, Kevin Durant wanted to put on a good show. But not because the defending champs were in town. The Thunder's franchise stud was coming off one of the worst games of his career, shooting 3-of-21 from the floor in a home loss to Portland. That, not Kobe Bryant, was his motivation. "It happens to the best of us," Durant said before facing the Lakers. "It was a tough game for me, but I just have to come back and work even harder."
That Durant stayed after practice to get some extra shooting in Monday might be noteworthy if Durant didn't do it after every practice. One theory offered up to explain his poor shooting start (35 percent after four games) was the team's added emphasis on defense.
Durant, specifically, has taken it upon himself to be a better defender this season. As unstoppable as he's been his first two years, he wasn't stopping much at the other end.
"There's no question when you put as much emphasis on defense as we have, something has to suffer," Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks said. "But I'm not worried about Kevin making shots. He's going to make shots."
LAKERS 101, THUNDER 98 (OT): Playing perhaps their finest game on the young season, Oklahoma City still fell short Tuesday night at home. The Thunder (2-2) also dropped their second straight at the Ford Center.
Kevin Durant led Oklahoma City with 28 points, but didn't score in the fourth quarter or overtime. He also had seven turnovers. Jeff Green added 18 points, and Russell Westbrook and Thabo Sefolosha each scored 12.
Kobe Bryant, battling through flu-like symptoms, led the Lakers with 31 points. Andrew Bynum and Ron Artest both scored at least 20 for the Los Angeles, which was playing its first road game.
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