Pelicans Sneak Past Thunder In Tulsa

Jeremy Lamb had his potential game-tying 3 blocked with two seconds left as New Orleans upended the Thunder in Tulsa.

Friday, October 18th 2013, 12:24 am

By: News 9


The Oklahoma City Thunder was dialed in from 3-point range but it wasn't enough to stave off a late rally from the New Orleans Pelicans in Tulsa on Thursday.

OKC shot better than 52 percent from 3, including 9-of-12 in the first half, but its lead slipped away once Kevin Durant headed to the bench, eventually losing 105-102.

The Thunder had a handful of chances to tie or take the lead in the final minute, but the end result was sealed when Jeremy Lamb had his potential game-tying 3 blocked by Anthony Davis with two seconds remaining at the BOK Center.

The Pelicans stayed perfect in preseason play, improving to 5-0, while the Thunder suffered its first loss to fall to 3-1.

Kevin Durant poured in a team-best 25 points on 8-of-20 shooting in 32 minutes. KD also had six rebounds and three blocks but couldn't quite find a rhythm as a distributor with just one assist versus six turnovers.

The Thunder also got double-digit scoring outings from six other players, as well. Jeremy Lamb and Reggie Jackson scored 12 each, and Serge Ibaka and Ryan Gomes added 11 a piece with Gomes connecting on all three of his 3-point attempts. Thabo Sefolosha also added 10 points with five assists and four rebounds.

But it was perhaps rookie center Steven Adams would had the most encouraging performance in Tulsa. Adams tallied an impressive double-double with 10 points on 5-of-7 shooting and grabbed a team-high 15 rebounds, nine more than any other Thunder player.

Adams has continued to show in the preseason that he is capable of handling minutes in the Thunder's regular-season rotation if he continues to show steady improvement. But he will have to cut down on his fouls, as he fouled out for the second-straight game.

Eric Gordon led the Pelicans with 21 points, while Davis and Ryan Anderson added 18 each.

Overall, the Thunder shot 49 percent from the floor and 52.2 percent from 3 after having connected on just 13-of-58 3's in the preseason entering the contest.

The Pelicans also shot 49 percent.

OKC outrebounded New Orleans 40-33 but lost the turnover battle 21-13.

The Thunder is back in action on Sunday when it returns to Oklahoma City to face the Utah Jazz at 6 p.m.

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