Lakers vs. Thunder: Game 2 TV Schedule, Live Stream, Spread Info and More

Were the Los Angeles Lakers tired in Game 1 or are the Oklahoma City Thunder that much better?

That's the question that needs to be answered after the Lakers were destroyed by Oklahoma City on Monday night.

Kobe Bryant and company looked drained, falling behind as many as 35 at one point as the lack of energy really showed on the defensive end of the floor and in transition. For Mike Brown's team to avoid falling behind 2-0 in the series, they must think defense first.

If Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant combine to shoot 58 percent from the floor like they did in Game 1, the Thunder will be heading to Los Angeles up 2-0.

Yet for the Lakers, all that matters is Game 2, although it quickly becomes the biggest game of the season. The Lakers are only a 16-21 team away from the Staples Center this season and they must do what it takes to head back home with the series tied.

To do so, we'll need to see a completely different Lakers team with a sudden jolt of extra energy. As this second-round series heads to Game 2, here's everything you need to know.

When: Wednesday, May 16 at 9:30 p.m. EDT

Where: Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Watch: TNT

Live Stream: None

Betting Line: Oklahoma City (-8)

Lakers Key Injuries (Per ESPN):

No Key Injuries

Thunder Key Injuries (Per ESPN):

Day-to-Day: Kendrick Perkins (hip)

What They're Saying

ESPNLosAngeles.com's Dave McMenamin had an interesting take about how the Lakers are partially responsible for creating this monster Thunder team after ousting Oklahoma City during the 2010 playoffs.

McMenamin feels the Thunder have had their eyes on this series since the day they were eliminated.

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Two years ago might seem like a lifetime ago in Laker Land, considering that back then Derek Fisher was a teammate instead of an opponent, Phil Jackson sat on the bench instead of Mike Brown roaming the sidelines and Metta World Peace was still Ron Artest, but two years was enough time for the Thunder toddlers to grow into a team to be feared.

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Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Scott Brooks also took the time to look back, telling McMenamin:

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"We were young back then," Brooks said. "Kevin [Durant] was never a soft player, but physically he was 210 pounds and 19-20 years old. Now he's 200 and a lot more [pounds]."

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Most Important Player to Watch: Kobe Bryant

It's games such as these where it would be easy to write the Lakers off only to see Kobe deliver a monster performance to put the Lakers on his back and carry them to victory.

The Lakers will need a ton from Bryant as the Thunder not only have the ability to match the Lakers Big Three, but also can contend with the Lakers usual length advantage. 

Having Serge Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins somewhat eliminates the advantage that Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum usually gives Los Angeles.

That could put the pressure on Kobe to deliver, something he doesn't mind having on his shoulders. But will Bryant come through with one of his classic performances or shoot the Lakers right into a 2-0 hole?

Key Matchup: Russell Westbrook vs. Ramon Sessions

Sessions has had major problems on the defensive end of the floor with athletic point guards and that proved to be true during Game 1 in which Westbrook scored 27 points, dished out nine assists and pulled down seven rebounds, all while shooting an impressive 10-15 from the floor.

Westbrook did whatever he wanted, and for the Lakers to stand a chance in Game 2, Sessions must make things harder on him.

While that's a chore all by itself, Sessions must contribute at the offensive end of the floor as well, as his two-point (1-of-7 shooting), three-assist effort in Game 1 won't cut it in this series.

Prediction:

Thunder 103, Lakers 96