Trail Blazers 103 - 93 Thunder
Final
  for this game

Blazers and Thunder meet in OKC

Jan 3, 2012 - 3:39 PM (Sports Network) - Now that Oklahoma City's first loss is out of the way it can focus on getting back to winning when the Thunder entertain the Northwest Division-rival Portland Trail Blazers tonight.

Oklahoma City won its first five games of the season before dropping a 100-87 decision at Dallas last night. Kevin Durant, whose buzzer-beating three- pointer beat the Mavericks on Dec. 29, scored 27 points on 21 shots, while Russell Westbrook finished with 18 points on 8-of-20 shooting, eight rebounds, three assists and three steals.

"This loss is tough for us because we kind of gave it away, but we'll go to the next game and try to get better," said Durant.

James Harden scored 16 points for the Thunder, who will try to stay unbeaten at home on the season (3-0). OKC will also host Houston on its brief homestand. Thunder guard Thabo Sefolosha was battling the flu, but started against the Mavs. He didn't play the second half because of a sore right foot.

Sefolosha is questionable for Tuesday's game versus Portland.

The Blazers are in the midst of playing three of four games on the road and are coming off their first loss of the season, a 93-88 setback against the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday from Staples Center.

Jamal Crawford had a game-high 23 points off the bench (13 in the fourth quarter), while LaMarcus Aldridge added 19 points and reserve Nicolas Batum scored 15 for the Blazers, who had won their first three games of the season and committed 21 turnovers. Aldridge also grabbed nine rebounds in defeat.

"We didn't play well at all tonight," said Blazers coach Nate McMillan. "We're turning the ball over like crazy and we're playing in a hurry."

Wesley Matthews and Raymond Felton netted 12 points apiece for Portland. Gerald Wallace missed all five of his shots from the floor and ended with seven rebounds and three steals. Wallace's streak of scoring in double figures in 14 straight regular-season contests dating back to last season was halted.

Oklahoma City took three of four meetings with Portland a year ago to win its first season series since the 2005-06 campaign. The Blazers have lost two straight and 11 of the last 16 road contests in this set.

Durant and Westbrook both averaged a series-high 27.0 points in last season's four-game series against Portland.






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