Kobe Bryant returned for the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night, April 20, against the San Antonio Spurs but it didn't matter as the Spurs continued to roll over all competition to hold on to the No. 1 spot in the Western Conference. Now, the Oklahoma City Thunder hope to be the next team to conquer the Lakers as they hold out hope they can catch up to San Antonio before the season ends.
The game features the two best scorers in the NBA in 2012 in Bryant and Kevin Durant. Despite missing time with an injury, Bryant still managed to hold onto the lead for the 2012 scoring title. Bryant currently averages 27.9 points a game while Durant ranks second with 27.8. With almost a full tenth of a point separating them, Durant has little chance of catching Bryant and will fall short of his third consecutive scoring title.
However, neither player really cares about that title right now as their concern is on the upcoming NBA playoffs. Durant already said he didn't care if he won the scoring title because he just wanted to help his team play better heading into the postseason. After both teams fell short of the prize in 2011, they hope to turn things around this year.
The Thunder and Lakers have played twice this season, Oklahoma City winning both games. The Thunder took the first game back on Feb. 23, 100-85, and won the second on March 29, 102-93. Durant scored a combined 54 points, with a high of 33 in the first win. Russell Westbrook scored a total of 55 points in the two games, with a high of 36 in the second win.
Another contributor in the second win was former Lakers' star Derek Fisher. In the first meeting, Fisher finished with five points for the Lakers, and in the second, he scored seven for the Thunder. In the two games, Bryant scored 24 and 23 points respectively.
While Los Angeles can't catch up to the Thunder in the Western Conference, they are still trying desperately to hold off the Los Angeles Clippers in their own division. The Clippers set half a game back and the Lakers find themselves lucky that the Clippers couldn't pick up a win following the Spurs' game.
Tipoff for the Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Los Angeles Lakers game is 3:30 p.m. CT.
Author Shawn S. Lealos has a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Oklahoma (2000) and is an avid sports fan that has lived in Oklahoma for over 40 years. He used to religiously follow the Dallas Mavericks until Oklahoma City found a team to call their own.
Source: CBSSports
Other articles by Shawn S. Lealos:
- Billy Hunter and NBPA Demanding that Derek Fisher Resign: A Fan's Take
- Oklahoma CIty Thunder Vs. Sacramento Kings: 04.20.12: A Fan's Preview
- James Harden Proves His Worth as Top Sixth Man in NBA: A Fan's Take
- Oklahoma City Thunder Playoff Predictions: A Fan's Take
- Oklahoma City Thunder Vs. Phoenix Suns: 04.18.12: A Fan's Take
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