Kobe Bryant and the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers find themselves at a crossroads.

After suffering their second straight loss, this time in blowout fashion, their series against the upstart Oklahoma City Thunder shifts back to Los Angeles tied at two games.

But Bryant and his veteran teammates see no reason to panic after a surprising surge by the youngest team in the NBA, with most of Oklahoma City's players making their first postseason appearance.

Bryant says "it's not rocket science" that the Lakers have to make adjustments and protect their home court at the Staples Center, beginning with Game 5 on Tuesday night.

Among the key issues are preventing the athletic Thunder from getting out in transition and eliminating a baffling rebounding deficit.