Lakers 87, Thunder 79

The Lakers won Game 1 because they got off to a fast start, shot reasonably well in the first quarter and played strong defense in all but the second period. Ron Artest was especially good at defending Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant, who had 24 points on 7-for-24 shooting. Russell Westbrook added 23 points. Jeff Green was the only other Thunder player to score in double figures with 10. That’s just about how the Lakers want to play it. Look for the Thunder to try to get off to a better start in Game 2 on Tuesday. Thirteen points on 5-for-19 shooting (26.3 percent) in the first quarter played right into the Lakers’ hands. Also expect them to try to get Green going. They need more than two options.