Chris Paul hits game winning layup, Los Angeles Clippers take down Oklahoma City Thunder in a thriller – NBA Recap
The Oklahoma City Thunder hosted the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday night in what was the contest between two of the youngest and most stylish teams in NBA.
The game turned out to be a humdinger and in the end Clippers, led by Chris Paul, took down the Thunder 100-98. Chris Paul gave an amazing performance, scoring 31 points for the night including the game winning layup. Paul only had 7 points in the first half but compensated for it by scoring 24 in the second, including 11 in the final quarter. Kevin Durant had a team high 22 points for the Thunder but was 7 of 21 from the field.
The Clippers put the first points on the board but after two lead changes within a couple of minutes, Thabo Sefolosha hit a 3 pointer to give Oklahoma City the lead 8-6. The Thunder kept the lead for the remaining of the quarter, even though the Clippers were right on their tail. Los Angeles did not permit Oklahoma to run away with a streak and the quarter ended with OKC leading 24-21.
Derek Fisher scored a 3 pointer and followed it up with a layup to give Oklahoma City a 10 point lead with 8:04 remaining in the 2nd period. Fisher then scored another 3 after a jump shot by Kenyon Martin for the Clippers, to extend OKC lead to 11. Clips fought back with 6 answered points and then ripped off a 9-2 run, capped by layup by Nick Young followed by a jump shot by Blake Griffin, which brought them to within 2 of the Thunder, 43-45.
Oklahoma City then went on an 8-0 run, capped off by a 3 pointer by Kevin Durant, to bring the Thunder lead back to 10. After CP3 responded with five straight points OKC ended the first half with 2 free throws by Russell Westbrook to lead 55-48.
LAC continued to fight back in the third and a jump shot by Chris Paul reduced the Thunder lead to 65-63 with 6:16 remaining in the quarter. But, a free throw by Durant followed by a 3 pointer by Sefolosha on the next possession, put OKC back up on top by 6. The Clippers finished the 3rd period with 4 consecutive free throws to trail 76-80 going into the final period of the game. OKC did a good job to maintain the lead in the 3rd quarter after the Clippers pulled in close on many occasions.
The Clippers, however, finally tied the game at 80 with back to back two pointers by Martin and Paul early in the 4th quarter. A three pointer by Randy Foye with 8:35 left on the clock gave the Clippers the lead for the first time since the first quarter.
OKC regained the lead by 2 points with a 3 pointer by James Harden. A Kenyon Martin layup followed to tie the game at 89 with 6:25 remaining. Chris Paul then stepped in, scoring a 3 pointer and following it with a floating jump shot to put the Clippers on top by 5, their biggest lead for the night. Kevin Durant sunk a 3 pointer with 32 second left in the game to tie it at 98.
But Chris Paul managed to drive into the paint and score a difficult layup to give the Clippers a 100-98 lead with 8 seconds left. OKC had enough time to make one final play for the tie or win. The ball was passed to Durant who shot a three but missed, giving the Clippers a hard fought victory.
Chris Paul was amazing for the night, but had help from Griffin with 16 points, 12 rebounds and 7 assists, Nick Young with 10 points and Kenyon Martin with 12 points.
Kevin Durant was the leading scorer for OKC, but went 2 of 9 in the crucial 4th quarter. Russell Westbrook added 20 points and 7 assists, but he also had a poor shooting night, going 3 of 14 from the field. He was, however, 13 of 15 from the foul line. James Harden added 17 solid points off 4 of 8 shooting for OKC.
The Thunder shot better than Clippers from beyond the arc, but were 40.8% from the field compared to 46.9% for the Clippers. OKC was also outscored 52-32 in the paint area, and Serge Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins combined for only 14 rebounds.
Oklahoma City are still at the top of the Western Conference after the loss, 2 wins clear of 2nd placed San Antonio Spurs. The Clippers remain at #4 spot after the win.
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