Source: The Oklahoman

The Oklahoman's Berry Tramel grades the Thunder's 119-90 win over the Lakers in Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinal series:

Ball security: A.

With 5:18 left in the third quarter, Russell Westbrook threw away the ball. That was OKC's second turnover of the game. The Thunder, which has played so careless at times this season, finished with just four turnovers, even though the C team played the last eight minutes.

Defending Kobe: A.

The Thunder didn't suffocate Kobe Bryant, but it did frustrate him, which usually is the most important thing against the Lakers. Thabo Sefolosha was excellent in dogging Kobe, but the Thunder only asked Thabo to play for 17 minutes. Laker coach Mike Brown credited the Thunder's physicality. Kobe made seven of 18 shots, but he alternated between long periods of inactivity and then rapid-fire shots, which never is a good sign for LA.

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