Thunder Stages Late Comeback, Wins in Overtime

OKC went on a 7-2 run to force an extra period and pulled out its second OT win this year.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 12:04 pm

By: News On 6

Thunder Stages Late Comeback, Wins in Overtime

Originally Published: Nov 26, 2010 10:40 PM CDT

Corey DeMoss
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

INDIANAPOLIS – Russell Westbrook scored a career-high 43 points to help the Oklahoma City Thunder pull out a 110-106 victory in overtime over the Indiana Pacers Friday.

The Thunder (11-5) trailed by as much as 14 points in the second half and was down by five with 90 seconds left in regulation, but Westbrook and Kevin Durant led OKC on a 7-2 run to tie the game and force overtime.

The game remained close in the extra period, and clutch free-throw shooting became the difference. The Pacers (7-7) missed two key free-throws that allowed OKC to take the lead, and the Thunder made all six of its attempts from the charity stripe.

As a team, Oklahoma City finished the game shooting 36-of-41 from the free-throw line, which made up for a poor shooting night. The Thunder shot just 39 percent from the field, weighed down by a combined 13-of-42 from Durant and Jeff Green.

Westbrook’s 43 points led all scorers and marked the first time this season a Thunder player has broken the 40-point mark in a game. Durant finished with 25 points despite his poor shooting night, and Green and Thabo Sefolosha each added a double-double.

Danny Granger led Indiana with 30 points, and all five of the Pacers’ starters scored in double figures. Roy Hibbert and Mike Dunleavy each recorded a double-double.

The Thunder has gone into overtime twice this season – both on the road – and won both times. The last came on Nov. 7 in a 107-106 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.

The win gives Oklahoma City six in its last seven games and keeps it one half-game behind the Utah Jazz for first place in their division. The Thunder will stay on the road for its next game at 6 p.m. Sunday against the Houston Rockets.