OKLAHOMA CITY, Feb. 24 (UPI) -- A 33-point performance from Kevin Durant Thursday keyed a strong second half that gave the Oklahoma City Thunder a 100-85 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Durant made 12-of-22 shots from the field in pushing the Thunder to their fifth straight win.
It was the final game played in the NBA before the All-Star break and Oklahoma City heads into the showcase weekend tied with Miami for the best record in the league at 27-7. The Chicago Bulls are 27-8.
Russell Westbrook added 19 points and Serge Ibaka had 11 points and 13 rebounds for Oklahoma City.
Kobe Bryant scored 24 for the Lakers, but he made just 7-of-24 from the field. Bryant got to the foul line 11 times and hit 10 of them.
Pau Gasol contributed 22 points and Andrew Bynum scored 14 points with 12 rebounds.