Final
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.
- PORTLAND: 92
OKLAHOMA CITY: 106
Final
Nov 2 10:27 PM - 62
roots - 62
roots - 62
roots - PORTLAND: 66
OKLAHOMA CITY: 74
End of 3rd
Nov 2 9:52 PM - 109
roots - 103
roots - PORTLAND: 42
OKLAHOMA CITY: 49
Halftime
Nov 2 9:10 PM - PORTLAND: 21
OKLAHOMA CITY: 26
End of 1st
Nov 2 8:40 PM - PORTLAND: 0
OKLAHOMA CITY: 0
1st Quarter - 11:48
Nov 2 8:13 PM
Related News
- ESPN: Danilo Gallinari Won't Get a Max Offer Jun 16
- Wojnarowski: Thunder's Troy Weaver up for Pistons General Manager Job Jun 16
- Coalition of Players Still Have Concerns About NBA Restart Jun 15
- Shelburne, Wojnarowski, Chris Paul, Players Need to Understand the Financial Ramifications of Staying Home Jun 15
- The Athletic: Thunder Have to Figure out if They Want to Stay Competitive or Rebuild Jun 15
- Video: Chris Paul, NBA'S Calming Voice Jun 14
- Could Andre Roberson Take Lou Dort's Spot Jun 13
- Shams Charina, Chris Paul Provides Insight on NBAPA Call Jun 13
- Hard for NBA Players to Speak out against Chris Paul and LeBron James Jun 12
- Darius Bazley Turns 20 Jun 12
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Ripped, as Thunder get Ready to Return Jun 12
- Keith Smith, "Thunder Can Keep Lou Dort on two-way Contract Jun 11