Thunder blast Lakers in West semis opener
Oklahoma City— Russell Westbrook had 27 points and nine assists, and Kevin Durant added 25 points as Oklahoma City blasted weary Los Angeles , 119-90 in the opening game of the Western Conference semifinals.
The Thunder took a 15-point halftime lead, then opened the third quarter with a 15-2 blitz.
Oklahoma City led by as many as 35 points, getting a measure of vengeance for the elbow Metta World Peace delivered to the head of the Thunder’s James Harden three weeks earlier.
Thunder starting center Kendrick Perkins limped off after aggravating a hip injury from the first round.
Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum scored 20 points each for the Lakers and Bynum had 14 rebounds.
The Thunder committed a franchise-record four turnovers.
Game 2 is Wednesday in Oklahoma City.
76ers 82, Celtics 81
At Boston, Evan Turner made a layup with 40.4 seconds left as the Philadelphia 76ers held off the Boston Celtics the rest of the way with six straight free throws to level the second-round Eastern Conference series.
Turner finished with 10 points, including his layup that put the Sixers up 76-75. He added two free throws with 12 seconds to go.
Jrue Holiday scored 18 points and Andre Iguodala added 13 points, seven assists and six rebounds for the Sixers.
Kevin Garnett had 15 points and 12 rebounds and Ray Allen scored 17 points for the Celtics.
Game 3 is Wednesday in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia won its first playoff game in Boston since 1982 despite committing a playoff-high 19 turnovers and getting outrebounded 47-36. /ap
