Oklahoma City Thunder in easy win over New Orleans Hornets 101 – 93 – NBA Recap
Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook were both on song for Oklahoma City Thunder as they beat the New Orleans Hornets with minimal effort on Monday. The game at the Chesapeake Energy Arena ended 101 – 93 to the home side but the score line was too easy on
the Hornets who never had a shout of winning the game.
Thunder’s star duo of Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant were once again on fire and both scored 31 points apiece to help their side to victory. Durant also had 8 rebounds and 4 assists to his name.
Serge Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins were stars in their own right too as they dominated for OKC at the defensive end. The duo grabbed 13 rebounds each and blocked 9 shots in total. It was an effort that earned praise from head coach Scott Brooks.
"I thought we came out with great energy to start the game and that was a concern after last night. Serge (Ibaka) and Perk (Kendrick Perkins) really protected the paint. This is a no excuse league, yeah we have some guys who are out but we have enough to
play."
"Perk was one of the bright spots for us, he set the tone on defence and didn't give (Chris) Kaman any good looks." He added.
It was a sorry scorecard once more for the Hornets, who have struggled mightily this NBA season. Although 5 players got into double figures for New Orleans, no one was able to make a real impact on the game.
Jarrett Jack scored the team high 18 points and also had 5 assists. Greivis Vasquez had 15 and Al-Farouq Aminu netted 14 points.
The Hornets looked like decent opposition at the start of the game, up 9 – 8 with 8:49 left to play in the first quarter. Right after though came a 7 – 0 burst from the Thunder to put the home side up 15 – 9. Things only got worse for the visitors from thereon
in and a 9 – 2 run to end the period from OKC left New Orleans trailing at 31 – 18.
The game really got away from the Hornets in the following segment. They weren’t able to trouble the Thunder at all with their offence and Oklahoma City just kept on building momentum. An 11 – 3 sprint just after the half way mark gave the Thunder a decisive
lead, 53 – 32, and they went into half time at 60 – 38.
New Orleans Hornets came out firing after the interval and certainly had more bite in their attack. Their offense clicked as they piled on 31 points in the 3rd quarter, but the gap never came down to single digits. At the end of the frame, the
Hornets were still trailing at 69 – 84.
Not much was expected of the Hornets in the penultimate frame. OKC took their foot off the pedal however, allowing New Orleans to get within 6 points near the end, at 97 – 91. That was as close as the visitors got though, and time ran out with the score
at 101 – 93.
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