Thunder Roll Over Lakers, Advance To Conference Finals

 Despite 42 points from Kobe Bryant, the Los Angeles Lakers' season ended Monday night in Oklahoma City. The hometeam Thunder got 70 points from their big three of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden, garnering a raucous ovation from the OKC fans after their 106-90 series sealing victory. For the second straight year, the Thunder advance to the Western Conference finals.

Durant finished with a double-double of 25 points and 10 rebounds. Westbrook dropped 28, while Harden added 17.

The Lakers season comes to an end in the second round for the second consecutive year. With their season now in the rearview, the question being asked is, "Who stays and who goes?"

Pau Gasol had 14 points and 16 rebounds. Some analysts predict that Gasol will be traded in the offseason, possibly making Monday night's double-double his last in a Laker uniform.

"It's out of my control," said Gasol when asked about his future in L.A.. "I'd like to continue to work and fight for this franchise."

Los Angeles' bench was a weaklink during the 2011-2012 campaign. Monday night in Game 5, they scored a paltry 5 points. In comparison, the Thunder bench finished with 35.

Next up for the Thunder is OKC's biggest challenge yet...the top seeded San Antonio Spurs. Game 1 of the Western Conference finals begins on Sunday in San Antonio.