Oklahoma City Thunder scorch the Phoenix Suns with a 122-118 O.T. decission
Russell Westbrook clinched a game-high 32 points and dished out 11 assists to spearhead the Oklahoma City Thunder to an enthralling 112-118 victory over the Phoenix Suns in overtime.
James Harden provided some substantial support off the bench, tying his season-high 26 points as the Thunder clinched their third straight win.
The heroics from the two young guns were enough to compensate a horror night from the league leading scorer, Kevin Durant. Kevin Durant was comprehensively hounded by the Phoenix Suns defense throughout the course of the game
and finished with a season-low 3-of-14 shooting from the field. The explosive forward however stayed productive with his free throw shooting and canned 11 to finish with 18 points.
Phoenix Suns did not make life easy for the Western Conference title contenders. The Suns articulated an outstanding confrontation, one in which they were led by Vince Carters’ team-high 29 points. Cater was at the top of his game
on the night. The veteran forward was instrumental in taking the game to overtime with a ripper from downtown.
His excellent night had an unfortunate end though. With 17.3 second left in the overtime, Carter drained two of his three charity throws and the Suns lost a golden opportunity to take the lead. It was followed by two crucial fouls
in the ensuing seconds as the Suns lost steam down the stretch.
Suns initiated a foul in the in the preliminary moments of the play as the home team took the benefit of the two free throws to gain advantage. Vince Carter and Channing Frye landed blistering 3-pointers one after the other as
Suns romped with 20-13 run with less than five minutes left in the first quarter. However, Thunder bounced back to cut the deficit 28-24 at the end the first period.
Carter entered the second quarter with all guns blazing. The dazzling forward went berserk from downtown and landed three sizzling 3-pointers, amplifying the lead for the visiting team. Suns were leading the first half with seven
points until James Harden clinched a 3-pointer in the last six seconds to slash the deficit to 61-57 at the break.
The third period depicted some great resistance from both the teams as Thunders tied the score twice in the start. Phoenix though restricted them to gain advantage. With the match gripped in an exciting deadlock, Russell Westbrook
lifted the Oklahoma City to a 81-78 lead as he banged one from beyond the arc.
The Suns responded viciously though. Mickael Pietrus sprung to the fore and landed two consecutive treys. Sefolosha responded back for the Thunder with another shot from long distance to escalate a tie 86-86. The tie didn’t last
long though.
Pietrus clobbered his third pointer of the period to put Suns on the frontline as Aaron Brooks Layup shot ended the third period 91-86 lead for Phoenix.
Phoenix Suns lost control in the final quarter and committed a number of fouls, giving some free points to Thunder. Suns procured only 18 points in the final quarter as Thunders took the advantage and concluded the fourth quarter
in a tie 109-109.
The overtime went in Oklahoma City's favour as the visiting team continued to commit fouls. Kevin Durant final free throw in the last couple of seconds provided a 122-118 victory to the home team.
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