Oklahoma City Thunder defeat Portland Trail Blazers 99–90
The Oklahoma City Thunder overcame a strong performance by Gerald Wallace and the Portland Trail Blazers to clinch a 99–90 victory at the Oklahoma City Arena on Sunday night. Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka led the thunder to the win in regulation-time.
Gerald Wallace scored a season-high 40 points and LaMarcus Aldridge added 20 for Portland, but that is where the contributions stopped for the Blazers. The Thunder then put in a spirited performance in the fourth to down the Blazers.
Russell Westbrook poured in 28 points, seven rebounds and and as many assists to lead the Thunder, and hit 3 three-pointers in the final period to seal the win. Durant had 21, while Serge Ibaka added 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting from the floor.
Oklahoma City took an early lead in the first quarter, going up 11–2 on a layup from Westbrook. David Aldridge and Gerald Wallace made a couple of shots for the Blazers to even things out a little, going into the second quarter.
The second quarter belonged to the Thunder. Sparked by Kevin Durant’s three-pointer mid-way through the period, the Thunder went on a 12-2 run to take a decisive 48–36 lead. Durant accounted for 8 points during that run as Oklahoma led Portland 55–41 at
half time.
The Trail Blazers came out gunning in the third period as they took control of the game with an early 13-2 run to cut the Thunder’s advantage to just three points. Wallace capitalised on some good looks at the basket to rack-up 15 points in the period and
keep the game close. The Thunder finished with a 9-3 spurt to re-establish their hold on the game and go into the final period leading 78-72.
Wallace’s good run continued into the fourth, as he opened the period with seven straight-points to tie the game at 79–79. He added 11 points in the fourth. However, Durant and Westbrook countered Wallace’s monster night, by scoring a combined 18 points
in the final period to put the game away for good.
Westbrook stepped-up to the plate and buried some huge threes late in the game to guide the Thunder to their ninth victory in their last 10 games. Kevin Durant was a beast on the defensive end, blocking five shots on the night.
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