Oklahoma City Thunder overpower New Orleans Hornets 101-91 - NBA Recap
Oklahoma City Thunder are off to a dream start in the 2011-12 NBA season.
They have lost only three games so far and if they continue playing like they are at the moment, they might end the regular season with the franchise’s best record.
The reason for their mammoth success has been the star duo of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. Both have been phenomenal so far and have performed in almost every game.
On Wednesday night, the duo combined forces again to help the team collect their 15th win of the season by downing New Orleans Hornets 101-91 at their home.
Durant marshalled the Thunder with a game high 25 points on 9-for-13 from the field and 7 rebounds whereas Russell, who struggled in the first half and shot only one for 10 from the floor along with 4 turnovers in the earlier part of the game, picked up momentum and finished with 14 points and 5 assists.
"Some shots fell for him," Thunder coach Scott Brooks said."You just keep playing. You're not going to always play good basketball. You have to keep your focus and in the fourth quarter the game turned around for him."
James Harden pounded 18 points on a near perfect shooting, knocking down 9 for 10 from the charity stripe and 4-for-5 from the floor whereas Serge Ibaka accumulated 14 along with 7 boards.
Thunder were precise with their shooting and outclassed the Hornets 53.1%-46.7%; however they committed 21 turnovers in the game, which they need to work on in the upcoming games against the much stronger units.
"Just too many turnovers," said Thunder coach Scott Brooks. "Don't know. It's not like we don't work on it. It's happening and we have to correct it. We controlled the boards and the turnovers were a big part of the game. We have to do a much better job with the ball."
Jarrett Jack led the Hornets with 20 points while the reserve Gustavo Ayon accumulated 16 points. Carl Landry was 11-for-11 from the free throw line and finished with 15 points.
The Hornets never really quite got going and trailed throughout the game.
After trailing behind the first three frames, they finally managed to get close to Thunder 77-81 in the starting minutes of the deciding frame, courtesy of a 6-0 run by Ayon. Ayon and Landry both kept on finding baskets in the ensuing passage to keep their team in the hunt.
The Hornets were only behind by 2 points 83-85, however what followed was a game deciding 8-2 spurt by Thunder that again put them in a commanding position, ahead by 8 points 93-85.
New Orleans failed to make a comeback after that and lost the game with a 10 point margin.
Tags: