Thunder beat Lakers 102-93 for 5th straight win

Essential News from The Associated Press

AAA??Mar. 30, 2012?1:38 AM ET Thunder beat Lakers 102-93 for 5th straight win BETH HARRISBETH HARRIS, AP Sports Writer?? Oklahoma City Thunder guard Derek Fisher, right, puts up a shot as Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol, left, of Spain, defends and guard Steve Blake watches during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, March 29, 2012, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Oklahoma City Thunder guard Derek Fisher, right, puts up a shot as Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol, left, of Spain, defends and guard Steve Blake watches during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, March 29, 2012, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Los Angeles Lakers guard Ramon Sessions, left, puts up a shot as Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, March 29, 2012, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant, center, puts up a shot as Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol, left, of Spain, and center Andrew Bynum defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, March 29, 2012, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol, left, of Spain, dunks Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, March 29, 2012, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook, right, puts up a shot as Los Angeles Lakers forward Matt Barnes defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, March 29, 2012, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) LOS ANGELES (AP) ? Russell Westbrook scored 36 points, Kevin Durant added 21 and the West-leading Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 102-93 Thursday night for their fifth consecutive victory in the matchup of division leaders. The Thunder shot 46 percent, ending their streak of hitting 50 percent or better in their four previous games. Andrew Bynum had 25 points and 13 rebounds and Kobe Bryant added 23 points for the Lakers, who have lost their last two at home and are 0-2 against the Thunder this season, including a 15-point road loss last month. Oklahoma City pulled away to open the fourth quarter with a 10-0 run that stretched its lead to 88-70 while Westbrook kept Bryant tied up offensively. Westbrook and Durant scored four points each in the spurt that had Laker fans booing. The Lakers responded with a 14-4 run to close to 96-89, with Metta World Peace hitting two 3-pointers and Bryant not scoring. Westbrook and Durant missed shots, but the NBA's highest scoring duo regrouped in time to score their team's final 10 points. Westbrook scored 17 points in the third, when the Thunder dominated, 34-19, in taking a 78-68 lead into the final 12 minutes. Durant was limited to a lone 3-pointer while Westbrook scored at will, alternately slashing to the basket or hitting from the perimeter. His 3-pointer beat the buzzer to end the quarter. Kendrick Perkins had 10 of his 12 points in the third. The Thunder were limited to 36 percent shooting in the first half, when they trailed 49-44. The Lakers got off to a strong start, leading 30-18 after one quarter behind nine points by Bryant and eight from Bynum. Oklahoma City outscored the Lakers 26-19 in the second quarter and took off from there. NOTES: The Thunder twice hit buzzer-beating baskets. Serge Ibaka had one to end the first half before Westbrook's 3 ended the third. ... The Thunder closed March with an 11-5 record. ... Former Laker Derek Fisher was welcomed back with two standing ovations in his first visit to Staples Center since being traded away recently. He had seven points in 16 minutes off the bench for the Thunder. ... Lakers coach Mike Brown said someone opened a Twitter account in his name that has since been shut down. "It's a sign that I've made it," he said. "But I will never have a Twitter account. I promise." Associated Press People, Places and Companies: Beth Harris, Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant, Andrew Bynum, Kobe Bryant, Metta World Peace, Kendrick Perkins, Serge Ibaka, Derek Fisher, Mike Brown, United States