Kevin Durant and James Harden rumble as OKC Thunder roll over the Houston Rockets: NBA Update
The Oklahoma City Thunder got their only back-to-back-to-back games stretch to an emphatic start by routing the Houston Rockets 109-94.
Kevin Durant played for only three quarter to come up with 26 points on a 10 of 16 shooting along with 7 rebounds, while James Harden came off the bench to toy with the Rockets on the paint, time and time again, to add 23 points
on a fantastic 8 of 11 from the floor.
Rockets Head Coach Kevin McHale conceded after the game, that Harden’s exploits on the glass helped the Thunder;
"They collapsed our paint again and then Harden came in and just drove at will. They were way more aggressive than we were. We're just not very good right now."
Point guard Russell Westbrook had 15, while Serge Ibaka, who set the tone early with two swats finished the game with 11 points, 9 boards and 3 blocks.
The Rockets (2-5), who are yet to win a road game this season, were led by Kevin Martin and Terrence Williams with 13 each. Goran Drajic, who started in place of injured Kyle Lowry had 10 points and 11 rebounds while Patrick Patterson
also scored 10 off the bench.
OKC were hot in the first quarter, and after being down for one and a half minute, Kevin Durant made a three point play to start a 7-0 run. Thunder didn’t stop after that and shooting at above 60 percent, they motored to a 30-20
lead by the end of the first quarter.
Harden then set the ball rolling in the second quarter with five consecutive points which were the part of a 16-5 Thunder run, in which the bearded forward scored 4 more. Rockets tried to rally back, but were unable to control
Thunder in the paint. Ibaka knocked down a three in the dying seconds of the second quarter to end the first half at 58-41.
OKC started the third quarter with a 12-4 run and stretched their lead to 70-45. They maintained the lead entering into the last minute of the frame, before Rockets capped it with a 6-2 burst.
Scott Brook, the Thunder head coach took all of his starters off in the fourth quarter and watched his reserves seal the game down the stretch. He was impressed by his team’s defence in the first half. Durant off course didn’t
escape his praise;
"Our defense was really good, especially in the first half (when the Rockets shot 41%) and Kevin (Durant) had one of his best overall games.” He said, “He can fill up the stat sheet every night and this was a good all-around game
for him."
Thunder plays at Houston tomorrow, before taking on the San Antonio Spurs.
Tags: