Oklahoma City Thunder win: NBA play-offs roundup April 27, 2011 (Part -2)
Oklahoma City Thunder 100 – Denver Nuggets 97
The leading scorer of the league Kevin Durant exploded down the stretch and thrashed the Denver Nuggets to a first round exit. Durant smashed the Nuggets with 16 points in the fourth quarter to power the Oklahoma City Thunder to
a thrilling 100-97 at the Oklahoma City Arena on Wednesday night. The Thunder now leads the best-of-seven-game series 4-1 and cemented their shift for the second round of the post-season.
The prolific star Kevin truly had a magnificent scoring game and ended the night with a game-high 41 points and 5 rebounds. Oklahoma City’s guard Russell Westbrook racked up 14 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists to support the star
of the night in a hardly fought meeting.
The Nuggets coach George Karl aligned his men to defend the spirited Kevin however, Durant’s agility and sheer domination was unshakable and he retorted the opposition convincingly.
Karl said after the game, "Durant made some very difficult shots. I don't care how many guys we put him he's probably gonna make those shots."
Five players from the Nuggets landed double figures who were impressively led by Kevin Martins with his 14 points and 10 boards however, Durant’s aggressive assail in the end utterly dominated their efforts.
Durant said on his outstanding late charge, "I was just thinking I didn't want to go back to Denver, it was cold and rainy and their crowd said some not nice things to us so I didn't want to have to go back there. Our guys told
me 'take the game over it's your time,' Russ [Westbrook] told me this is what you do now go do it."
The Nuggets started out firmly and went for a 20-13 run in the first quarter to clinch an early advantage followed by Danilo Gallinari’s scorching blow from downtown. The Thunder responded with a couple of long distance shots however
the visiting Denver sealed 28-25 advantage with the end of the period.
The Nuggets were quite instrumental from beyond the arc and buried three more 3-pointers before halftime but the Thunder’s team effort in the second quarter helped them to tie the score 50-50 as the game progressed into the first
half.
Denver’s starters took the charge with a combine effort and overshadowed the star power of the Oklahoma City in the third quarter. The visiting team managed to strike back before entering the final 12 minutes and reclaimed the
lead 76-72.
Nuggets’ stimulating domination in the first three quarter went in vain when the All-Star Kevin Durant took the possession of the ball phenomenally in the last six minutes. He scored 16 points of his 41 in the last period and outperformed
the Thunder for a breathtaking victory.
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