LOS ANGELES — After every plot twist and dramatic turn in the Lakers’ soap opera of a season, perhaps their stars’ latest identity switches shouldn’t be all that shocking.
Kobe Bryant made all the big passes. Steve Nash scored important points down the stretch. Pau Gasol excelled off the bench as the new-look Lakers calmly maintained a fourth-quarter lead on the mighty Thunder.
Bryant had 21 points, 14 assists and nine rebounds, Nash added seven of his 17 points in the final 5 1/2 minutes, and the Lakers held off the NBA-leading Thunder 105-96 yesterday.
Gasol scored 16 points in a reserve role as the Lakers picked up the most impressive victory of their thoroughly unimpressive season, their second straight win after a four-game skid.
With Bryant taking on a playmaking role, Nash stepping up his offensive game and Dwight Howard preaching togetherness, the 19-25 Lakers are cautiously optimistic their latest reboot will work.
“We’re doing a good job right now of just being real with each other and holding each other accountable,” said Bryant, who had 14 assists and fell one rebound shy of a triple-double for the second straight game. “I’m trying to evolve and find out what we need as a ballclub.”
Kevin Durant scored 35 points and Russell Westbrook had 17 points, 13 assists and nine rebounds for the road-weary Thunder.
“They needed a win,” Durant said. “It was a must-win for them, and they came out and performed well.”