Oklahoma City Thunder thrash the Detroit Pistons 104-94 – NBA Recap
Kevin Durant clinched a game-high 24 points to spearhead Oklahoma City Thunder to an enthralling 104-94 victory over the Detroit Pistons at Oklahoma City Arena on Friday night. With this win, Thunder took their record to 18-6 over
the Eastern Conference foes, which is second best record by any Western Conference team after league’s-Best San Antonio Spurs 21-6 mark.
James Harden is swiftly taking over the charge of flanking Durant and All-Star Russell Westbrook ever since Thunder traded away Jeff Green. Green was considered as a right-hand of the team’s and Durant had said at his departure.
"Losing Jeff, you lose 15 points, you lose more rebounds, just more playmaking ability. I had to step my game up and just help the team."
Harden gathered 22 points on Friday providing a massive support to Thunder for the second win over Pistons this season. Richard Hamilton and Rodney Stuckey combined for 36 points for Detroit as the rest of the line-up failed to
come to the party.
The game had its wavering moments for both the teams however the home team ensured their success in the end. Detroit clinched an early advantage 11-8 followed by a blistering 3-pointer from Prince. Westbrook lifted the momentum
for Thunder and escalated a tie 17-17 with almost 3 minutes left in the period. The visiting team retaliated stoutly and took the possession of the ball, restricting the opposition to score in the last two minutes as they romped with 26-22 run to end the
first period.
Pistons sustained their momentum in the start of the second quarter and managed to amplify the lead to seven points with Villanueva sizzling land behind the arc. Durant took the charge just before the halftime, scoring 10 points
of his 24 to spearhead Oklahoma City for a tremendous 55-50 advantage as they game progressed into the first half.
Third quarter was entirely subjugated by the Thunder despite of forceful confrontation form the visiting team. Harden joined the action with Durant leaving few options for the visiting team to gain any sort of momentum. Harden
landed two successive blows from long distance to stretch the lead 79-70 with two minutes left in the period. Thabo Sefolosha clinched another 3-pointer for the home team and Harden layup shot ended the third quarter with eleven point’s advantage.
Oklahoma City headed out with 7-0 run in the preliminary moments of the final quarter thrashing the opposition out of the game. Hamilton and Stuckey strived to cut down a huge deficit however the finishing tip shot by Serge Ibaka
resulted in a comprehensive 104-94 victory for Thunder.
Oklahoma City Thunder are marching forward stoutly towards the upcoming playoffs and have started to give strong messages before the sizzling showdown.
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