OKLAHOMA CITY — The Lakers escaped the upstart Oklahoma City Thunder, winning Game 6 and taking the first-round series. They said they would be better for having faced such a young and energetic team. “Every year in the playoffs, every series, what you try to do is get better,” Kobe Bryant said. “This series forced us to play hard on every possession because Oklahoma demanded that from us. We feel like we’re a better ballclub for it.”

We’ll find out soon. Game 1 of the second-round series against Utah is Sunday.