The Los Angeles Lakers will be led by the competitive nature of guard Kobe Bryant Tuesday night when they go on the road to take on the defending Western Conference champions Oklahoma City Thunder at 9:30 p.m. ET.
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Bryant scored 34 points, including the go-ahead layup with nine seconds remaining, as the Lakers (30-30) defeated Atlanta 99-98 on Sunday to get back to the break-even mark for the first time since they were 15-15 on Dec. 28.
He scored 11 points in the fourth quarter, helping Los Angeles to its fifth victory in six tries.
Bryant is averaging 34.8 points over his last five as the ninth-place Lakers try to get into the Western Conference playoff picture. They are within striking distance of Golden State, Utah and Houston for one of the last three spots.
Coach Mike D'Antoni knows Bryant will be the catalyst if Los Angeles is to avoid missing the postseason for the first time since 2004-05.
Bryant scored 21 points and had a season high-tying 14 assists in a 105-96 home win over the Thunder on Jan. 27. He's averaging 33.3 points over his last six versus Oklahoma City, including last season's five-game loss in the West semifinals.
Slowing Kevin Durant has been Los Angeles' biggest challenge, especially this season. He's averaging 37.7 points in the three meetings, including 36 in a 114-108 win Dec. 7 and 42 in a 116-101 victory Jan. 11.
Durant netted 35 points in Sunday's 108-104 win over the Los Angeles Clippers, helping the Thunder (43-16) hold on after leading by as many as 19 points.
That moved Oklahoma City 1 1/2 games ahead of the Clippers for second place in the West, though it remains three games back of San Antonio.
Oklahoma City is one of the NBA's best home teams at 26-4, and it has won 18 straight there versus West teams. The Lakers have lost five straight at Chesapeake Energy Arena, including last year's playoffs.
"They probably have the best crowd in the league," Bryant said. "It's incredible."
