by Sports Xchange

Thunder coach Scott Brooks knows the team's margin of error isn't great, so getting out of their comfort zone will usually lead to problems. In other words, they're not the seven-seconds-or-less Phoenix Suns.

"It's not the way we play," Brooks said. "We're not a team that's going to score 30 points in four quarters. We have to stick with our principles, our core values -- that's defending and getting stops and running after misses."

Having a number of young players who would seem well-equipped for an up-tempo style does lead to an identity crisis at times, especially against opponents who love to run the floor.

"When we play teams like that we tend to play the way they play," Kevin Durant admitted.

It might work better against lottery teams. The defending champs are another story.

LAKERS 101, THUNDER 85: Oklahoma City took the Lakers to overtime earlier this month. This one never had a chance Sunday night as Kobe Bryant and Co. toyed with the visitors from the first quarter on.

The Thunder (7-7) never had a chance, falling behind 21-5 six minutes into the game. Bryant hit several circus shots on his way to a game-high 26 points. OKC never threatened, shooting just 37 percent for the game.

Kevin Durant led five Thunder players with 19 points. OKC had 19 turnovers and missed 20 of 23 3-pointers. One bright spot was the play of rookie backup center Serge Ibaka, who had 11 points and 13 rebounds.