Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook star as Oklahoma City Thunder ease past Portland Trail Blazers – NBA Recap
The Portland Trail Blazers were the team perhaps most affected, in a negative way, by the March 15 frantic trade activity, and the weakened side received a thrashing at the hands of Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday. Playing at the Chesapeake Energy Arena,
OKC had little trouble disposing off the inept Trail Blazers 111 – 95.
Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook were once again the two stars for Oklahoma City. The duo combined for 54 points. Durant also had 7 rebounds and 6 assists while Westbrook dished out 5 assists.
James Harden also made a mark, coming off the bench for 14 points and 7 assists.
Raymond Felton led the Trail Blazers. He had 19 points to go along with 7 assists. Wesley Matthews scored 16 and LaMarcus Aldridge had 15.
The Thunder started off in explosive fashion. A 7 – 0 burst put them up 17 – 10 and a 10 – 0 sprint to end the first quarter resulted in the 31 – 15 score line.
The lead stretched to 41 – 23 early in the second segment. The Thunder continued to pound Portland and the lead crossed the 20 point mark near the end; 56 – 35, before the Trail Blazers cut it down to 57 – 42 by half time.
Not a lot changed after the break. Portland weren’t able to mount a comeback and Oklahoma City didn’t look like being too aggressive either. The third period thus breezed away, ending at 84 – 70.
The final 12 minutes were pretty much a formality. Neither side showed any urgency; the Trail Blazers knew it was too late for them and the Thunder gave some reserves a run out. It ended 111 – 95.
It was the terrific start to the game by Thunder that completely offset Portland’s game plan. They came out aggressive early and established a dominance that lasted throughout the game.
"It was important for us to get off to a good start, we came out with a mindset of toughness. Our first quarter was really good, probably one of our best defensive quarters this season and then we kinda relaxed." Thunder coach Scott Brooks said.
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