Thunder Collectively Capitalizes to Crush Nets

Oklahoma City had a record setting night on its way to the teams 22nd win of the year.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 12:07 pm

By: News On 6

Thunder Collectively Capitalizes to Crush Nets

Originally Published: Dec 29, 2010 10:7 PM CDT

Layna Dewell
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

OKLAHOMA CITY—In front of a sold out crown inside the Oklahoma City Arena, the Oklahoma City Thunder played great team basketball to overtake the Nets by a final of 114-93.

The Thunder forced a season high 23 turnovers on the night while also setting a season high 31 assists to move OKC to 22-11 on the year.

Much of the first quarter was back-and-forth between the two teams, trading baskets with no team establishing much of a lead or rhythm. At the end of the first the game was tied at 24.

The Thunder, led by Russell Westbrook, ignited in the second half and really began their capitalization off of New Jersey turnovers. In fact, Westbrook had 15 of his 17 points just in the first half.

Westbrook closed out the first half with a jaw-dropping coast-to-coast one handed dunk to send the teams to the locker room, with OKC leading 57-46.
Thunder had an 18-point advantage entering the fourth and they never backed down or let up.

Kevin Durant led the Thunder scoring with 27 points, two rebounds and two assists before sitting out the remainder of the game while Westbrook finished the night with 17 points four rebounds seven assists and three steals.

The Nets were led by Devin Harris and Brook Lopez who each had 19 points in the contest. Nevertheless, NJ has now lost the last three-straight games.

As a team OKC shot 66.7 percent from the floor and all 12 players scored for OKC and James Harden came off the bench to add 11 points and four assists while Nick Collison and Nenad Krstic both added 10 apiece.

The Thunder return to action on the home court New Year’s Eve against the Atlanta Hawks at 7:00 p.m.