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Durant, Thunder seek first win vs. Rockets

Nov 1, 2008 - 10:22 AM Oklahoma City (0-1) at Houston (2-0) 8:30 pm. EDT

HOUSTON (Ticker) -- Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder seek the franchise's first win on Saturday against the Houston Rockets.

The Thunder, formerly the Seattle SuperSonics, had their home opener spoiled in a 98-87 loss to Milwaukee on Wednesday. The franchise was moved to Oklahoma City in the offseason after 41 years in Seattle.

NBA commissioner David Stern was among the 19,136 in attendance for Opening Night, but it was another forgettable one for a team that went 20-62 in its final season in "The Emerald City."

The reigning Rookie of the Year, Durant scored just 12 points on 5-of-14 shooting, and the Thunder were never in the game when it mattered.

Things won't be any easier against the Rockets, who are one of the strongest teams in the Western Conference. Yao Ming scored 30 points and Ron Artest added 29 as the Rockets posted a 112-102 win over Dallas on Thursday.

Artest, who was acquired from the Sacramento Kings in the offseason, is quickly making friends with his new team. He came to the support of Yao when the massive center got into a heated exchange with Dallas forward Josh Howard.