OKC Holds Off Jazz Comeback

Miraculous free throw shooting lifts Thunder to 115-108 win.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 12:02 pm

By: News On 6

Originally Published: Nov 15, 2010 11:15 PM CDT

Grant Belcher
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

SALT LAKE CITY – The Jazz were about to continue making history, but a young Thunder squad decided enough was enough.

Utah mounted a spirited comeback against OKC on Monday night but the Thunder held it off and prevailed, 115-108.

Coming into the game, the Jazz had pulled off an unprecedented feat for the NBA history books.

In the previous five games, Utah had trailed by double digits each game (and as many as 22 in one instance) and came back to win all five straight.

When the Thunder led by as many as 13 at one point, it was inevitable the Jazz would attempt to mount their sixth-straight jaw-dropping comeback.

Utah pulled to within two points on a Deron Williams tip-in with five minutes left in the contest.

But as usual, the Thunder were nothing short of amazing from the free-throw line, shooting 33-of-34 (97 percent).

Durant hit six straight free throws down the stretch – he was 16-for-16 on the game – to keep Utah at arm’s length at the end.

The game featured very little defense, for Oklahoma City set a new standard for shooting percentages.

The Thunder lit up the scoreboard shooting 50 percent from the floor and 40 percent from 3-point range to go with their ridiculous free-throw numbers.

The Jazz was not far behind, shooting 50 percent from the field as well.

Oklahoma City had to mount a small comeback of its own to start the game, trailing 24-12 at one point before battling back in the second quarter.

Kevin Durant led the Thunder with 30 points and six boards, and Russell Westbrook added 22 points and seven assists.

But the player of the game for OKC was forward Serge Ibaka, who set a career high with 22 points and added 11 rebounds and four blocks.

Oklahoma City (6-4) will host the Houston Rockets on Wednesday at the Oklahoma City Arena.