Thunder Cruises To Comfortable Win Over Kings

It was quick, business-like game for Oklahoma City against Sacramento Friday night, as the Thunder used a big third quarter to cruise to a 94-81 victory at The Peake.

Kevin Durant scored 29 points, his 37th consecutive game of at least 25 points. He did it on just 11 field goal attempts, making nine of them.

Russell Westbrook had 18 points on an also efficient 7-of-12 shooting performance.

Jeremy Lamb was the only other Thunder player in double figures with 13 points and five assists.

Lamb played 32 minutes on Friday thanks to the blowout and an injury to backup point guard Reggie Jackson. Jackson missed the game with a back injury he suffered in practice on Thursday. Thunder coach Scott Brooks said before the game Jackson was day-to-day with the injury.

The Thunder controlled the game thanks to a stalwart defensive performance that held Sacramento to 36.5 percent shooting for the game—31.8 percent in the first half. OKC also forced 17 turnovers and turned those into 19 points.

Oklahoma City shook off a sluggish start to the game and ended the first quarter up, 32-15. The Thunder was able to cruise from there and won for the seventh time in nine games.

Sacramento was led by rookie Ben McLemore, who scored 18 points. Travis Outlaw came off the bench to score 17 points and hit 5-of-6 from 3-point range. Outlaw's performance helped the Kings cut a 31-point deficit to 16 points with four minutes remaining. The Thunder bench was able to hold off the rally long enough to secure the comfortable victory.

Ray McCallum started in place of Isaiah Thomas at point guard for Sacramento and scored 13 points. Jason Thompson finished with 10.

Oklahoma City led at the half, 54-38, but really took control with a third quarter in which the Thunder outscored the King, 28-13, including an impressive 20-2 margin in the paint. The onslaught pushed the Thunder lead to 82-51 at the end of the period and allowed Durant, Westbrook and Serge Ibaka (eight points, eight rebounds) to sit the entire fourth quarter.

The Thunder bench managed just 12 points in the final period and gave up 30 points to the Kings, but the margin was too great for Sacramento to overcome.