More than two decades ago, after Larry Bird made a shot from behind the backboard that didn't count in a preseason game, the NBA changed the rule on plays like that. Kobe Bryant was glad they did.

Bryant duplicated Bird's memorable shot and finished with 26 points, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a 101-85 rout of the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday night and adding yet another clip to his a 14-year NBA highlight reel.

"You see him do things just fooling around with all kinds of shots in practice that you won't normally see," teammate Lamar Odom said. "But you expect the impossible, because he's not scared to take any shot from anywhere on the court. So that's why that's the result. It's never a bad shot to him. That's his mentality. He's not afraid to shoot it. He understands touch, getting the ball up and staying focused. His concentration is incredible."

Bryant thrilled the sellout crowd late in the first quarter when he drove the baseline against rookie guard James Harden, ran out of room and made a desperation fadeaway jumper over the top of the backboard while hanging in the air as his momentum carried him out of bounds near the Lakers' bench.

"I was aware that the rule was changed and that you could do that," said the 11-time All-Star and 2008 MVP, acknowledging that even he was amazed when it went in. "It was just lucky. We had a rabbit's foot on. I thought I was going to get a three-point play. It seemed like an obvious call to me _ when the guy just hip-checks you to try to push you out of bounds. I just tried to get enough height on it so that it cleared the board. It was like a putt."

The defending NBA champions, who squeaked out a 101-98 overtime win at Oklahoma City on Nov. 3, had this one in control throughout with help from Andrew Bynum's 25 points and nine rebounds. Bryant also had seven assists and six rebounds. The Lakers forced 19 turnovers and converted them into 25 points.

"We played against the best team in basketball," Thunder coach Scott Brooks said. "We didn't handle their physical toughness. They got into us, we set the offense too far out and turned the ball over. They capitalized on every mistake, and that's what they do. Anytime you play the Lakers, it's a humbling position to be in."

Pau Gasol, playing his second game since coming back from a right hamstring strain, had 15 points, seven rebounds and six assists after getting 24 points and 13 boards in Thursday's 108-93 win against Chicago. The Lakers have won 11 straight against the Thunder-Seattle SuperSonics franchise, and are 9-0 this season when scoring 100 or more points.