(Sporting Alert) — The Los Angeles Lakers were completely outplayed by the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of their Western Conference semi-finals on Monday, but Kobe Bryant is backing the former champions to respond quickly.
”We’re a team that doesn’t get down when we get blown out,” Bryant, who scored 20 points in the Lakers’ 119-90 defeat at the Chesapeake Energy Arena.
“We’ve been blown out a bunch of times this season, blown out last series a couple times,” Bryant said.
”We’re used to dealing with that.”
The Lakers were able to take down the speedy Denver Nuggets in the seven game series and many believe the only way contain the Thunder in this series in do what they had to do against the Nuggets.
Slow them down.
And not just Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, who were impressive in Game 1, but also the likes of James Harden, Thabo Sefolosha and others.
“Everything’s fixable. It’s just about making adjustments. That’s really what the postseason is,” said the All-Star guard, Bryant.
”They came out, took us out back and whooped us. It’s on us to make adjustments, to make changes and come back with a better effort – and we will.”
The Thunder like to run so it problem do make sense to slow the game down a bit and start using the likes of Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum, who had 20 points and 14 rebounds in the first game – much more in the paint.
For Oklahoma City and coach Scott Brooks, nothing will be changing tonight, as the hosts look to take a 2-0 lead in the series.
In the night’s other game, the Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers will be in action in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semi-finals at Wells Fargo Center.
Boston took Game 1, but left their late push in Game 2 to late and were beaten 82-81.
This series is locked at 1-1.
On the road the Boston Celtics are 15-18, while 76ers are 19-14 at home.
Both Games Will Be Live on TNT
Boston at Philadelphia
Game 3 – Series tied 1-1 7:00 PM
LA Lakers at Oklahoma City
Game 2 – Thunder lead 1-0 9:30 PM
