Thunder Tops New Jersey in Triple-Overtime Thriller

After a buzzer-beater forced overtime, it took three extra periods for Oklahoma City to top the Nets.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 12:04 pm

By: News On 6

Thunder Tops New Jersey in Triple-Overtime Thriller

Originally Published: Dec 1, 2010 9:44 PM CDT

Gerald Goodridge
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

NEWARK, New Jersey -- Despite falling behind early in all three overtime periods, the Oklahoma City Thunder outlasted the New Jersey Nets Wednesday to come out on top 123-120 without the help of Kevin Durant.

The win marked the first triple-overtime win in franchise history.

The Nets jumped out to a one-point lead in the opening two minutes of the third extra period, but the Thunder’s offense came up big late in the game.

Point guard Russell Westbrook scored all 13 of Oklahoma City’s points in the closing five minutes, including six in the final 90 seconds, to put the Thunder on top.

The third year point guard finished the game one assist shy of a triple-double with 38 points, 15 assists and nine rebounds. Jeff Green did his part with a career-high 37 points, while James Harden chipped in 16 coming off the bench.

The Thunder came out of halftime trailing by five, but started the second half on an 11-2 run, including five by Nenad Krstic, to take a 55-51 lead four minutes into the half.

New Jersey tried to battle back at the end of the third, but Green scored seven of his 10 third-quarter points in the final 2:25 to extend the Oklahoma City lead to 71-62.

But the Nets battled back in the third quarter and even took a late-game lead in the fourth.

Trailing eight points with 7:13 left to play, New Jersey strung together an 11-3 run minutes to tie the game with just five minutes left on the clock

The Thunder tied the game by making four consecutive free throws, but Anthony Morrow connected on a last-second three ball to tie the game and send it to overtime

New Jersey came out firing in the extra period with a quick five points, including a three from Travis Outlaw, to take a 98-93 win.

Oklahoma City didn’t manage its first field goal of overtime until less than three minutes remained on the clock, but went on a 7-2 run to tie the game.

Brook Lopez missed a game-winner from 20 feet to send the game into double-overtime.

The Nets took yet-another four-point lead in double-overtime, but Oklahoma City scored five quick points to take a one-point lead. The Thunder’s offense then began to struggle, going without a field goal for a span of more than two minutes, while New Jersey built a three-point lead.

Green was fouled on a three-point attempt with four seconds left in the game and converted on all three chances to send the game to triple overtime.