Kobe Bryant missed out with a shoulder injury and the Los Angeles Lakers suffered a 118-78 hiding at the hands of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
In Bryant’s absence, the Lakers offered little resistance to a mighty Oklahoma side, for whom Kevin Durant led scoring with 22 points and Enes Kanter contributed 19 points and 14 rebounds.
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The Thunder earned a seventh win in eight games, and eighth straight victory at home, while the struggle for the Lakers continues, their record worsening to 4-23 for the season.
Lakers coach Byron Scott expressed dismay, saying according to the Los Angeles Times: “Kobe’s fearless. These guys looked like they were scared or intimidated by Durant and ( Russell) Westbrook.”
Carmelo Anthony’s 27-point game spurred the New York Knicks to a 107-91 home success against the Chicago Bulls, a fourth win in a row.
John Wall matched Anthony’s haul as he helped the Washington Wizards to a 109-101 win over the Charlotte Hornets, while the Los Angeles Clippers lost 107-97 to the Houston Rockets and the Memphis Grizzlies beat the Indiana Pacers 96-84.
Watch postgame interview. Lesley McCaslin with Enes Kanter on @FoxSportsOK https://t.co/fUjsaBtJoy
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) December 20, 2015
