Oklahoma City Holds off Suns

The Thunder took a big lead into the fourth quarter, but Phoenix challenged late.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 11:38 am

By: News On 6

Originally Published: Apr 9, 2010 8:26 PM CDT

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Gerald Goodridge
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Thunder weathered a late-game push by the Phoenix Suns to earn a 96-91 win and snap a two-game losing streak.

Jason Richardson scored five straight points to start a 13-4 run by the Suns in the opening minutes of the game.

Oklahoma City responded with an 18-7 run to take its first lead of game, 22-21, with 3:23 left in the first quarter. The Thunder continued its fast pace, scoring seven straight to open the second quarter to take a 39-31 lead.

Halfway through the second quarter, the Suns struck back with an 11-4 run –including five from Amar’e Stoudemire – to retake the lead 49-47. The Thunder had a three-point lead with six seconds left in the half, but a screen by the Suns allowed Channing Frye to hit a long jumper to close the gap to one.

Despite not hitting a shot from the floor for the final 15:04 of the half, Kevin Durant led all scorers in the first half with 20 points. Stoudemire paced Phoenix in the first half with 17 points and eight rebounds.

Early in the second half, Oklahoma City used its mid-range game to expand the lead to 12 points. They rode that wave through the third quarter to take a 79-69 lead into the final quarter.

Phoenix threatened late, going on a 9-0 run – including five by Leandro Barbosa – to close the gap to a single possession. Serge Ibaka hit a five-foot jumper to push the lead back up to five points.

With 33 seconds left, Steve Nash drove the lane to close the gap to three points, but Russell Westbrook stepped up to block his shot and all but end the threat. That was his only block of the game.

Durant finished the game with 35 points and nine rebounds. Thabo Sefolosha added 15 points, while Ibaka also scored 15, grabbed nine boards and blocked three shots in 24 minutes of play.

The Thunder is back in action at 6 p.m. Sunday in California against the Golden State Warriors.