Thunder Can't Keep Up with Golden State Pace

OKC gave up some monster numbers in 100-94 loss.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 12:12 pm

By: News On 6

Thunder Can't Keep Up with Golden State Pace

Originally Published: Feb 13, 2011 9:47 PM CDT

Grant Belcher
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

OAKLAND, Calif. – It wasn’t that Golden State shot the ball any better than the Thunder on Sunday.

It was the fact that Golden State shot the ball nearly twice as many times.

Oklahoma City would certainly like to have its defensive performance back in a 100-94 loss to the Warriors on Sunday.

The Thunder gave up some of the most absurd numbers to the Warriors that the NBA has seen this season, including 20 offensive rebounds.

Golden State also had 99 field goal attempts in the game, by far the most attempts the Thunder has given up all season and the most attempts the Warriors have had all year.

In comparison, The Thunder had just 59 attempts in the ballgame.

Those numbers led to disaster for Oklahoma City despite the fact that it shot nearly 10 percent better in the ballgame than Golden State (52 to 43 percent).

The entire game was close, with 21 tied and 12 lead changes throughout the game.

The largest lead of the game was eight when the Warriors led 74-66 at the end of the third quarter.

A pair of free throws from Kevin Durant pulled the Thunder to within 96-94 with less than a minute to play, but Oklahoma City turned right around and gave up an easy dunk to David Lee, giving the Warriors control for the remainder.

Oklahoma City outshot Golden State percentage-wise in every aspect of the game, with impressive percentages of 52.5 from the field, 44 from 3-point range and 86 from the line.

But the Warriors seemed to have more energy, which was understandable considering they had four days of rest while OKC was coming off a game against Sacramento the previous night.

Kevin Durant, whose status was somewhat in question with a twisted ankle, led the Thunder with 29 points.

Russell Westbrook added 21, and Jeff Green was the only other Thunder player in double figures with 12.

Three Warriors had 20 or more, which isn’t rare for them. Monta Ellis led all scorers with 33. David Lee put up a monster game with 23 points and 19 boards. Stephen Curry added 23 as well.

Oklahoma City will return home to face the Kings again on Tuesday at 7 p.m.