The Los Angeles Lakers (9-10) will have their work cut out for them tonight when they go head-to-head with the Oklahoma City Thunder (15-4). Losing record aside, Kobe Bryant reached a milestone when he became only the fifth player in the NBA's history to score over 30,000 points.

Nonetheless, he will more than likely face a challenge in the Thunder's Kevin Durant, who should eventually be in the midst of the well-respected list. Both of the superstars are currently the top scorers in the NBA.

Oklahoma City is on a tear, coming into the matchup with a six-game winning streak, a season-high for the basketball club. They will be meeting the Lakers for the very first time since the two teams clashed in the playoffs last season.

On Wednesday night, Bryant continued his case as one of the game's greatest of all-time when he put up 29 points in a 103-87 Lakers victory over the New Orleans Hornets. The star was given a congratulatory handshake by NBA commissioner David Stern prior to Bryant joining a scoring ranks category that includes the likes of Michael Jordon, Wilt Chamberlain and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

"It's pretty awesome. These are players I respect tremendously and obviously grew up idolizing and watching and learned a great deal from," Bryant told ESPN.

Interesting enough, Durant, who is just 24-years-old, actually grew up watching the 34-year-old Bryant. Oklahoma City's star became the second youngest player to reach 10,000 points in the opening game of this season, but is still amazed by Kobe.

"I know he's an old fart. Since I was about 8 years old, watching him dominate every year he's been in the league, it's been a joy to watch. It was just an honor and a blessing to play on his team this summer in the Olympics," he said.

CLICK HERE to watch the Los Angeles Lakers face off against the Oklahoma City Thunder via free live stream. Coverage of the game is set to begin at 6:30 p.m. PST on Friday, Dec. 7.

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NBA, Los angeles lakers