Trail Blazers
Thunder
92 - 106 Final
  for this game

Westbrook, Durant lead Thunder past Blazers

Nov 3, 2012 - 4:37 AM Oklahoma City, OK (Sports Network) - Russell Westbrook poured in 32 points, and Kevin Durant tallied 23 points, 17 rebounds and seven assists in Oklahoma City's 106-92 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers.

The Thunder, who lost their season opener at San Antonio on Thursday thanks to Tony Parker's buzzer beater, also received 19 points from Kevin Martin and 12 from Nick Collison - both off the bench.

Martin, who took over the bench role from James Harden, the NBA's reigning Sixth Man of the Year, made all three of his shots from beyond the arc.

"We've always had good chemistry," Thunder coach Scott Brooks said. "James was a good player. Don't get me wrong, but he wasn't Dr. James. He wasn't helping the group stick together. All the guys do, Russell, Kevin, down the line."

The Trail Blazers, who were coming off a convincing season-opening win over the Los Angeles Lakers, were led by LaMarcus Aldridge's 22 points and 15 rebounds. Rookie Damian Lillard chipped in 21 points and seven assists, while J.J. Hickson totaled 14 points and 12 rebounds.

Lillard's jumper had the visitors within 84-79 with 7:25 remaining, but the Thunder embarked on a 11-2 run to take control. Durant's put-back off a 3- point miss from Westbrook started the spurt. Martin tacked on a 3-pointer and a running jumper before Westbrook converted two free throws.

Durant's two made foul shots created a 95-81 difference with 4:05 remaining, and the double-digit cushion remained until the final horn.

The Thunder fell behind early, but scored 11 in a row for a 24-18 edge with under two minutes left in the first quarter.

Durant's jam created a 40-33 lead with 5:08 left in the half and the same margin stood at the half at 49-42.

Lillard's bucket with 3:03 to go in the third had the Blazers within 64-63, but Portland never went back in front. Durant's 3-ball widened the gap to seven with a minute left and it was 74-66 moving to the fourth.

"Oklahoma City is a good defensive team. They made some adjustments I suppose," Blazers head coach Terry Stotts said. "Their big guys do a good job protecting the paint and made it difficult to score in the paint. We just couldn't get a rhythm going."

Game Notes

This was the Thunder's fourth straight home opening victory ... Oklahoma City has won seven of the last nine meetings with the Blazers ... Portland shot 36 percent, while OKC finished at 51.3 percent ... The Thunder dominated in the paint by a 44-24 scoring margin.






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