Lakers vs. Thunder Game 1: Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant & Stars That'll Shine
When the Los Angeles Lakers square off with the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of their second-round NBA playoff matchup, there will be certain stars that shine brighter than the rest.
Stars like Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant will have the spotlight on them from Game 1, and will thrive under that pressure.
Watch for all of the following stars to get the ball in big moments and make Game 1 the most interesting NBA playoff game so far in 2012.
TOP NEWS
Rich Paul: 10-12 Teams Eyeing LeBron
3 Teams Eyeing Jaylen Brown 👀
Reaves Linked to Nets Max Offer
I can’t wait for this series!
Kevin Durant
There's no better pure basketball player in the NBA than Kevin Durant. With a team surrounding him full of players that know their roles, the Oklahoma City Thunder are ready to beat Los Angeles.
The Lakers will be sending plenty of defense Durant’s way, so his job will not only be finding his own shots, it will be finding shots for his teammates. OKC will win the series easily if Durant can get the ball to the open man while he's being double teamed.
Even with L.A. draped all over him, I see the star averaging just less than 30 points per game with an added five assists and 10 rebounds this series.
Talk about a stat stuffer!
Kobe Bryant
As if there was any doubt who would come up huge for the Lakers, the team will once again lean on the ability and shooting prowess of their legendary guard Kobe Bryant.
Oklahoma City will showcase some of the best offense of their own, so the Lakers will need Kobe Bryant to not only average 30 points per game this series, but will have to defend Westbrook or Durant when it counts the most.
No pressure.
Even with Bryant hitting at a great percentage, he will need the help of big men Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum to get the job done against a tough and deep Thunder squad.
James Harden
After suffering a concussion courtesy of an elbow from Metta World Peace, Thunder guard James Harden will look to exact his revenge via the scoreboard and not his physicality.
While I don't doubt Harden will take the ball right at World Peace to show that he isn’t scared, Harden will be asked to add so much more off the bench for the Thunder.
The added chip on his shoulder will only add to the motivation of playing the revered Los Angeles Lakers, so OKC fans should expect 20 points, five rebounds and five assists in Game 1 from the all-around star.
Check back for more on the National Basketball Association as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s NBA Page to get your fill of all things basketball.
