Lakers Vs. Thunder: Complete Western Semifinals Series Coverage

Oklahoma City Thunder Show Teams How To Rebuild Through The Draft

The Thunder have been rebuilt from scratch in a matter of five seasons, almost exclusively via the NBA Draft. But following the OKC Model may be easier said than done.

Thunder Vs. Lakers, NBA Playoffs 2012 Game 5 Final Score: OKC Advances With 106-90 Win

On Monday night, the Oklahoma City Thunder hosted the Los Angeles Lakers, knowing they would need just one more victory to advance to the Western Conference final. The Lakers were determined to try to prevent that from happening and did their best to stave off elimination but, in the end, the Thunder were too quick, too young and just too talented to be denied. The Thunder won Game 5 and clinched the series by a final score of 106-90.

The Lakers trailed for much of the game but managed to keep things close and even took a lead for a brief time in the third quarter, but the Thunder buckled down and began to pull away. They just added to their lead throughout the fourth quarter and, before long, the Lakers were on the losing end of a blowout.

Kobe Bryant led all scorers with 42 points and, in typical Bryant fashion, zero assists. Russell Westbrook led all Thunder scorers with 28 points, while Kevin Durant had 25 points and 10 rebounds.

For more on the Lakers, head over to Silver Screen And Roll and SB Nation Los Angeles. For more on the Thunder, head over to Welcome To Loud City.

Lakers Vs. Thunder: Keys To Game 5

NBA Playoffs 2012: Thunder Vs. Lakers Game 5: Game Time, TV Schedule And More

The Lakers and Thunder will meet in Game 5 of their series Monday as the Thunder attempt to close out the series.

Lakers Should Trade Andrew Bynum ... So He Doesn't Go To Waste

Trade Andrew Bynum? If the All-Star center ever wants to truly blossom, he needs teammates who won't ignore him in the fourth quarter of must-win games. He needs to get away from Kobe Bryant.

NBA Playoffs 2012, Lakers Vs. Thunder Game 4: Game Time, TV Schedule And More

The Lakers and Thunder will meet in Game 4 of their series on Saturday. Oklahoma City leads the series 2-1.

KD Comes Through, Kobe Breaks Down And The Thunder Are Up 2-0

Kobe Bryant couldn't come through for the Lakers in Game 2, and Kevin Durant was the star instead as the Thunder rallied late and took 2-0 series lead.

Kobe Bryant's Clutch Reputation Turns Lakers Upside Down

The Lakers wanted to go to Kobe Bryant late ... as always. So when Metta World Peace made a better play that resulted in a Steve Blake miss, Kobe's reputation became more important than smart improvisation. It's not a good look.

Kendrick Perkins Injury Update: Thunder Center A 'Game-Time Decision' For Game 2 Vs. Lakers

Kendrick Perkins will be a game-time decision for Game 2 of the 2012 NBA Playoffs second round Western Conference series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers, according to Thunder coach Scott Brooks. The center reportedly aggravated the hip injury he sustained during the Thunder's first round series against the Dallas Mavericks.

OKC coach Scott Brooks said Kendrick Perkins re-aggravated hip injury and he is a game-time decision for Game 2.

— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) May 15, 2012

Perkins was not expected to be limited for Game 1 on Monday, but wound up with just four points and one rebound in 17 minutes before leaving the game. If he is held out Wednesday night, expect Nazr Mohammed, Serge Ibaka and Nick Collison to continue to see more minutes.

For more on the Lakers, visit Silver Screen And Roll and SB Nation Los Angeles. For more on the Thunder, visit Welcome To Loud City.

The Thunder Are All Grown Up

The Thunder sent a message in Game 1 Monday night, and after a 29-point blowout, Kobe Bryant and the Lakers heard it loud and clear. So did the rest of the NBA.

Thunder Vs. Lakers, NBA Playoffs 2012 Game 1: Oklahoma City Beats Los Angeles By Final Score Of 119-90

On Monday night, the Oklahoma City Thunder hosted the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinals series. The Thunder jumped out in front early and the game turned into a veritable romp as Oklahoma City took the first game by a final score of 119-90.

The Lakers were trailing by 15 points at halftime, but things only got worse from there. While Los Angeles needed nothing more than to regroup and use their experience to take control, they instead fell behind by 30 points by the end of the third quarter. It was never close the rest of the way.

Andrew Bynum put up a big double-double for the Lakers, finishing with 20 points and 14 rebounds. Kobe Bryant had 20 points in the game. Russell Westbrook led all scorers with 27 points and Kevin Durant was close behind with 25. James Harden came off the bench for the Thunder to put up 17 points.

For more on the Lakers, visit Silver Screen And Roll and SB Nation Los Angeles. For more on the Thunder, visit Welcome To Loud City.

VIDEO: Predicting The Lakers-Thunder Series With Arcane Video Games

Kendrick Perkins Injury: Thunder Center Will Play, No Minutes Restriction Vs. Lakers

Thunder center Kendrick Perkins, who injured his hip in Game 4 of Oklahoma City's first-round series, will play in Game 1 of their second-round series against the Lakers. Perkins played in just eight minutes of the close-out game against the Mavericks, but will not be limited Monday against Los Angeles.

Kendrick Perkins is playing and will not be limited minute-wise, Thunder coach Scott Brooks said.

— Darnell Mayberry (@DarnellMayberry) May 15, 2012

Perkins started 65 games for the Thunder during the regular season and all four games in their first-round series against Dallas. In 26.8 minutes per game during the regular season, Perkins averaged 5.1 points and 6.6 rebounds per game.

Game 1 of Oklahoma City's game against Los Angeles will tip off at 10:30 p.m. ET and can be seen on TNT.

For more on the Lakers, visit Silver Screen And Roll and SB Nation Los Angeles. For more on the Thunder, visit Welcome To Loud City.

Lakers Vs. Thunder: World Peace At War, Kevin Durant, And The Big Picture

Metta World Peace returns to face James Harden and the Oklahoma City fans in Game 1 Monday night, but with Lakers-Thunder series, that's just the beginning of the fun. Get ready with a preview of what's to come.

Kendrick Perkins Injury: Thunder Big Man Expected To Play Game 1

The Oklahoma City Thunder will begin their second round series against the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night. Lucky for them then that it seems they'll be rather healthy, too, considering big man Kendrick Perkins is expected to play.

Perkins had been held out of practice ever since the Thunder completed their first round series, but a report from the Associated Press makes it seem as though he'll be ready to matchup with the tandem of Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum beginning Monday night.

Center Kendrick Perkins returned to practice for Oklahoma City on Sunday, and his teammates expect him to play Monday night when the Thunder host the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals.

Coach Scott Brooks wouldn't go as far as to say that Perkins would definitely play, instead insisting that he would be re-assessed Monday before a final decision is made. Perkins was held out of practice all week while getting treatment for a strained muscle in his right hip.

This is obviously great news for the Thunder, provided the re-assessment goes as planned, considering the added toughness Perkins brings to the block.

For more on the Lakers, visit Silver Screen And Roll and SB Nation Los Angeles. For more on the Thunder, visit Welcome To Loud City.

NBA Playoffs Schedule: Lakers Vs. Thunder Tips Off On Monday, Features Back-To-Back

The Lakers advanced to meet the Thunder in the second round of the NBA Playoffs. That series begins on Monday.