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The Oklahoma City Thunder started out slow, but turned to their potent one-two punch late, to pull out an improbable victory. |
Kevin Durant dropped in 38 points, Russell Westbrook added 30 and 12 rebounds, and the Thunder stormed past the visiting Denver Nuggets 115-113 on Monday night.
The dynamic duo combined for 24 fourth-quarter points but Durant was not pleased with the defensive effort that had the Thunder playing from behind for most of the game before moving to 4-0 at home for the first time in franchise history.
“We can’t start off like this and expect to win every game in the fourth quarter,” said Durant,” referring to Denver’s 39-point first quarter. “But we made plays defensively and offensively we got deflections and offensive rebounds.”
Thunder coach Scott Brooks agreed with his superstar.
“We very prideful and we’re going to keep fighting until the last possession, that’s always been our trademark,” he said. “But we can’t just turn it on in the second half.
“They scored 39 points in the first quarter. It’s disappointing.
We have to correct that and play a better defensive game.”
Elsewhere: Portland Trail Blazers 108, Brooklyn Nets 98: LaMarcus Aldridge scored 27 points, Wesley Matthews added 24 with five triples, and the visiting Trail Blazers shot past the Nets in the second half for their seventh straight victory.
Damian Lillard contributed 19 points and nine assists for Portland (9-2) which held the Nets to just 3-17 shooting in a 27-15 third-quarter blitz en route to its fifth straight road win.
Shaun Livingston tossed in a season-high 23 points and Kevin Garnett added 16 for the Nets, (3-7), who erupted for 40 first-period points but just 58 in the final three quarters.
Luol Deng scored 21 points, including a key triple with 27 seconds left, Carlos Boozer grabbed a season-high 17 rebounds, and the Bulls overcame a frosty 36% field goal shooting, to beat the visiting Bobcats 86-81 for their fifth straight win. Jeffery Taylor led Charlotte with a career-high 20 points.