76ers vs. Thunder: Oklahoma City Wins Easily As KD and Westbrook Score 31 Each
The Oklahoma City Thunder, fresh off of three days rest after a loss to the Celtics, were in control all of the way as they cruised to a 109-103 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers Wednesday night before another sold-out crowd at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City.
The Thunder's dynamic-duo, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook scored 31 points each and played with a lot of confidence in the win over the Sixers. Durant tied for the team lead in rebounds with seven, but the play of Russell Westbrook was the difference as he led the team with 12 assists.
The Thunder, despite having another terrible three-point shooting day, outscored the 76ers in every quarter except the fourth. Thunder Coach Scott Brooks should still be concerned as his team only made two-of-14 shots from behind the arc.
Thunder starting two-guard Thabo Sefolosha bounced back from a game where he didn't even score against the Celtics, to post a respectable 10 points, five rebounds, three steals, and two assists in almost 40 minutes of play.
James Harden, the man who is supposed to be the Thunder's other outside-shooting threat off of the bench, chipped in nine points, on three-of-seven shooting, in 22 minutes of play off the bench. Harden managed to score one of the Thunder's three field goals from three-point range.
Elton Brand, Jodie Meeks and Jrue Holliday scored 17 points each but a 76ers team coached by Doug Collins never was a threat to the Thunder.
Russell Westbrook was spectacular with a series of slashes to the rim as he shot 11-19 from the field and nine-for-11 from the free-throw line. The win over the 76ers was obviously a good win to help the Thunder bounce back from Sunday's loss to the Celtics, but should not be used as a measuring stick in the Thunder's need for improvement.
The Thunder are now 3-0 against the Eastern Conference but will have to step up their play to win again against their Northwest Division nemesis, the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday. The Trail Blazers stand on top of the division with a 6-3 record.
