Oklahoma City Thunder charge past Cleveland Cavaliers in final quarter to pick up 106-91 victory – NBA Recap
The Oklahoma City Thunder won their fourth consecutive game of the season by defeating the travelling Cleveland Cavaliers 106-91 here at the Chesapeake Energy Arena on Sunday night. The Thunder look to be regaining the same form
and momentum they had going for them last season, as they are improving every time they step on the floor. On Sunday night, the Thunder played well over the first three periods but switched into an entirely different gear in the final period where they outscored
the Cavaliers 27-18 and took them out of the game. Russell Westbrook finished the game with a game high 27 points, 6 rebounds and 10 assists while going 4 of 6 from three point range to lead the Thunder. Kevin Durant was right behind him, finishing with 26
points and 8 rebounds while going 9 of 16 from the field. Kyrie Irving had 20 points and 5 assists on the night to lead the Cavaliers.
The Cavaliers started the game hot and took the Thunder by surprise, out running them and not allowing them to settle down to take an early 11-3 lead. A 6-0 run later on put them ahead 17-7, but the defending Western Conference
Champions came right back by going on an 11-2 run that had them trailing 18-19. Durant then scored two free throws, followed by a pair of free throws by Serge Ibaka and Kevin Martin then nailed a three pointer to put the Thunder up 25-21. OKC led 27-21 at
the end of the first period.
The Thunder started right where they left off in the second period, going on a 7-2 run to start the period. A layup by Westbrook later in the period gave the Thunder a 38-29 lead, and the Thunder compiled a 6-0 run near the end
of the quarter to lead 53-42. OKC led 57-46 at the half time break.
Two free throws by Durant had the Thunder up 63-50 early in the third period, but Kyrie Irving scored back to back three pointers to keep the Cavaliers in competition, trailing 56-63. Back to back layups by Irving later in the
period had the Cavaliers trailing by only three, but Kendrick Perkins and Durant scored back to back to put the Thunder back up by 7. Westbrook then scored two threes to close the period and have the Thunder leading 79-73.
Westbrook started the final period with back to back three pointers to set the tempo of the final period and put the Thunder in front 85-73. The Cavaliers failed to get their offense going in the period as the Thunder stepped up
their defence and relied on converting defence into offence. Back to back turnaround jump shots by Durant put the Thunder up 95-81, and Ibaka later scored four back to back points to put the Thunder up 102-85. OKC eventually won 106-91.
The Thunder shot a staggering 54.8 percent from the field and were 7 of 15 from three point range, something Cleveland could not match. They also had 10 blocked shots against 0 for Cleveland.
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