Los Angeles Lakers

Two games with Pau Gasol back, two easy Lakers victories.

"Easy" is an appropriate word when talking about Gasol and the Lakers' game, which flows readily with him out on the court.

"No question," Kobe Bryant said. "He can facilitate offense for everybody else, too. He's not just a great scorer. He's a great passer. He has great IQ, great vision. Not only for me -- it makes everybody's job a lot easier."

Gasol has had some moments of rust in the Lakers' victories over Chicago and Oklahoma City. But he has more often made the right play, as seen by his six assists without a turnover Sunday night against the Thunder.

Center Andrew Bynum benefited again from Gasol's setups and said afterward: "As the season goes on, both of us are going to do better together. I think we'll be a stronger team because everybody will be scoring. We'll be able to get more assists, have a lot less double-teams and we'll be able to be more efficient."

Said Thunder coach Scott Brooks about facing Gasol and Bynum inside: "Very difficult. They're long, they protect the rim, they protect the paint, they make you play to the weak side -- and it's tough to get over there. They're not playing with their hands down."

LAKERS 101, THUNDER 85: Ron Artest said after the Lakers' overtime victory in Oklahoma City early this season that he was unprepared for all the moves Kevin Durant had. This time, Durant never took over in an 8-for-20 shooting night (19 points), and the Lakers' defense had an overall great game.

• The American Music Awards were going on across the street at Nokia Theatre on Sunday night when the Lakers played Oklahoma City at Staples Center. Early in the fourth quarter, Will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas was given the Staples house microphone and sang "I Got a Feeling."

• It's not necessarily the most exciting thing to watch, but when the Lakers are at their best, they are very secure with the basketball. In their victory over Oklahoma City on Sunday night, the Lakers had just nine turnovers compared to the Thunder's 19. Three of the Lakers' turnovers came from triangle-offense newcomer Ron Artest.

Quote To Note:

"Pretty crazy."

—Kobe Bryant on his successful shot from behind the backboard in the first quarter Sunday night vs. Oklahoma City

Rotation:

Starters—Point guard Derek Fisher, Shooting guard Kobe Bryant, Small forward Ron Artest, Power forward Pau Gasol, Center Andrew Bynum. Bench—Forward Lamar Odom, Guard Jordan Farmar, Guard Sasha Vujacic, Guard Shannon Brown, Forward Josh Powell, Forward Adam Morrison, Center DJ Mbenga.

Player Notes:

• C Andrew Bynum had what he called a mild sprain of his right ankle Sunday night but still had 25 points and nine rebounds in 28:37 of play.

• C DJ Mbenga might need some down time to rest a body that has suffered numerous ailments since training camp. Mbenga had three fouls and missed all four shots he took in 6:49 of play Sunday night.

• F Pau Gasol was kidded by Lakers coach Phil Jackson about his guest stint on "CSI: Miami." Jackson said Gasol's acting left a bit to be desired, but Gasol said: "I think most of the population enjoyed it."

Medical Watch:

• F Luke Walton (pinched nerve in back) is out at least until the end of December.