Hornets 95 - 122 Thunder
Final
  for this game

Thunder hope to start another streak against Bobcats

Mar 10, 2012 - 3:43 PM (Sports Network) - The Oklahoma City Thunder lost their first home game in over two months on Friday.

Losing two in a row, however, doesn't seem likely as the Western Conference- leading Thunder welcome the NBA-worst Charlotte Bobcats to OKC.

Rookie star Kyrie Irving didn't have his best shooting night from the floor, but his offense down the stretch helped the Cleveland Cavaliers snap Oklahoma City's 14-game home winning streak with a 96-90 win over the Thunder on Friday.

Irving scored five of his nine points in the final three minutes for Cleveland, which used a 12-0 run to put the game away.

"Shots that I normally make were not falling, but that's okay," said Irving. "I trusted my teammates down the stretch and they hit a lot of shots and made my job a lot easier."

Kevin Durant scored 23 points to go with eight rebounds and eight assists for the Thunder, who were 6-of-24 from beyond the arc. Oklahoma City had won nine of its last 10 contests overall coming in and hadn't lost in the Sooner State since a 103-93 setback to Portland on Jan. 3.

Russell Westbrook netted 19 points while Serge Ibaka had 13 points, seven rebounds and six blocks and James Harden poured in 15 points off the bench for the Thunder, who are now 17-2 on their home floor.

"I think you have to give Cleveland a lot of credit," Thunder head coach Scott Brooks said. "They came in with a great game plan and executed it very well. We were a step slow."

The Bobcats, who are kicking off a four-game road trip tonight, lost their second straight contest and for the seventh time in eight games on Friday, dropping a 83-74 decision to New Jersey in the Queen City.

Corey Maggette ended with 19 points and seven rebounds in that one for Charlotte, which finished 1-3 on a four-game homestand. Rookie Bismack Biyombo donated 11 points and 11 boards.

"When you're not shooting the ball and putting it in the hoop, it's going to wear on you and it did," said Bobcats head coach Paul Silas. "It just kind of brings our intensity down."

Charlotte, which is just 2-18 on the road will also visit New Orleans, Houston and Dallas on its trek.

OKC has won two straight against the Bobcats and is 6-1 all-time against Charlotte at home.






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