Final
Thunder rout Rockets in Game 1
Apr 22, 2013 - 7:09 AM Oklahoma City, OK (Sports Network) - It was one of those nights where everyone seemed to be making shots in Oklahoma City.Even a fan nailed one from half-court that won him $20,000.
Kevin Durant had 24 points, six rebounds and four assists in the Oklahoma City Thunder's 120-91 rout of the Houston Rockets in Game 1 of this Western Conference first-round series.
Russell Westbrook tallied 19 points, 10 assists and eight boards, while Serge Ibaka added 17 points and seven rebounds for the Thunder, whose 29-point margin of victory was the largest in the postseason since moving from Seattle.
OKC shot a sizzling 53 percent (44-of-83) from the floor.
"I think tonight we did a really good of moving the ball. And the ball was going in the rim for us," Durant said.
James Harden netted 20 points on just 6-of-19 shooting for Houston, which is in the postseason for the first time in three years.
The biggest reason why the Rockets were able to post their first playoff berth since 2008-09 was because of their All-Star guard Harden. The former sixth man of the Thunder was dealt to the Rockets prior to the start of the season and finished fifth in the NBA with 25.9 ppg.
Game 2 is slated for Wednesday in Oklahoma City.
The Rockets overcame a 13-point, first-quarter deficit as Carlos Delfino tied the contest at 40-40 midway through the second with a layup.
OKC, though, responded a bit later with a 14-1 run to regain control of the contest.
Durant nailed a jumper with four seconds left in the quarter to cap the burst and make it 60-45 before Harden quickly raced and converted a layup at the other end to pull the Rockets within 60-47 heading into the break.
The Thunder poured it on in the second half.
They used a 19-5 surge that bled into the final stanza that put them up by 33. Derek Fisher finalized the swing with back-to-back 3-pointers for a 102-69 advantage with 9:19 left.
The margin reached its peak at 35 down the stretch.
"Believe it or not, I think this was good for us," Harden said. "Losing like this was definitely good for us. Now we know how to play."
Earlier, OKC jumped out to a 13-2 cushion before taking a 26-19 spread into the second.
Game Notes
Serge Ibaka registered 17 points, seven boards and three blocks for the Thunder ... Houston finished at 36.3 percent (33-of-91) from the field ... The Thunder improved to 18-5 in OKC during the postseason.
- HOUSTON: 91
OKLAHOMA CITY: 120
Final
Apr 22 12:13 AM - HOUSTON: 66
OKLAHOMA CITY: 89
End of 3rd
Apr 21 11:40 PM - HOUSTON: 47
OKLAHOMA CITY: 60
Halftime
Apr 21 10:53 PM - HOUSTON: 19
OKLAHOMA CITY: 26
End of 1st
Apr 21 10:17 PM - HOUSTON: 0
OKLAHOMA CITY: 0
1st Quarter - 11:48
Apr 21 9:45 PM
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