Final
Thunder shoot for another win over Suns
Feb 10, 2013 - 4:10 PM (Sports Network) - The Oklahoma City Thunder have owned the Phoenix Suns lately and shoot for a second straight season sweep Sunday in the back end of a home-and-home series at US Airways center.The Thunder have won the first three meetings with the Suns this season and posted a 127-96 rout on Friday in the OKC. Kevin Durant had 21 points, six rebounds and four assists, while Russell Westbrook added 17 points and six assists for the Thunder, who took all three meetings with Phoenix a season ago and are riding a nine-game winning streak in the series.
Oklahoma City has won three in a row overall after alternating wins and losses over the previous eight contests.
"We were just more aggressive," Westbrook said after the Thunder's seventh straight home win. "I think our crowd has a lot to do with it. I think as a team we're getting better. When teams get closer to the All-Star Break they tend to relax. I think we just want to pick it up."
The highest scoring team in the league at 106.6 ppg, the Thunder received 18 and 17 points, respectively, from Thabo Sefolosha and Kendrick Perkins. They used a 21-0 run in the third quarter to put the game away and scored a season- high 72 points in the second half.
The 127 points were also a season-best for OKC.
Oklahoma City, which has a comfortable lead atop the Northwest standings, will play two straight and three of four games on the road. It has lost two straight and three of four games on the road, however.
The Thunder own a 15-9 ledger away from Chesapeake Energy Arena.
Phoenix closed out a four-game road trip (1-3) with the recent loss to the Thunder and has dropped six of eight overall.
Michael Beasley finished with 25 points and seven boards for Phoenix, which got 19 points and six assists from Goran Dragic. Phoenix trailed by just five at halftime, 55-50, but the second half was a different story (72-46).
"This is no reason to hang our heads," Phoenix coach Lindsey Hunter said. "They have played in the Finals and they know what it's like, and a lot of our guys don't. This will be a positive teaching tool for us. It's something to learn from and something to never forget."
The Suns are now 4-6 (2-1 at home) under Hunter, who took over for Alvin Gentry last month. Beasley has benefited from the coaching change and is averaging 16.1 ppg after the switch.
Phoenix is winless in the last five home bouts with Oklahoma City and will play three straight on the road following Sunday's contest.
- OKLAHOMA CITY: 97
PHOENIX: 69
Final
Feb 10 10:24 PM - OKLAHOMA CITY: 74
PHOENIX: 48
End of 3rd
Feb 10 9:53 PM - OKLAHOMA CITY: 51
PHOENIX: 34
Halftime
Feb 10 9:09 PM - OKLAHOMA CITY: 27
PHOENIX: 16
End of 1st
Feb 10 8:37 PM - OKLAHOMA CITY: 0
PHOENIX: 0
1st Quarter - 11:37
Feb 10 8:11 PM
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