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coach Scott Brooks called on Kevin Durant to show that he's more than just a three-time scoring champion. And that meant guarding one of the NBA's all-time best.
• Durant was up to the challenge, keeping Kobe Bryant from excelling as usual in his closer's role while sparking the Thunder's rally for a 77-75 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals Wednesday night.
• Durant scored 22 points and rattled in the go-ahead basket on a baseline runner with 18 seconds left as Oklahoma City scored the final nine points. He also had a crucial steal from Bryant to fuel the rally.
• "People talk about how I score the ball," said Durant, one of only seven players to lead the NBA in scoring three straight seasons.
• "They don't look at me when we go on the other end. I think this whole playoff run, I've been picking it up on the defensive end."
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• PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Kevin Garnett yapped his way down the court after big baskets and clearly enjoyed taking it to the 76ers.
• Rajon Rondo pushed the ball and relentlessly attacked the lane.
• Paul Pierce gutted out a knee injury and grinded his way to the free throw line.
• Boston hears the whispers that it's too weary and too old to win another championship. By the time they forced Sixers fans to flee their seats, the Celtics proved it's still too early to count them out.
• Garnett scored 27 points, grabbed 13 rebounds, and used a dominant second quarter to help the Celtics beat the 76ers 107-91 on Wednesday night and take a 2-1 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
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