Thunder Survives Comeback Attempt in Win over 76ers

Oklahoma City was outscored in the fourth quarter, but used defense and free-throw shooting to seal the win.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 12:01 pm

By: News On 6

Thunder Survives Comeback Attempt in Win over 76ers

Originally Published: Nov 10, 2010 10:5 PM CDT

Corey DeMoss
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma City Thunder held off a fourth-quarter push Wednesday to beat the Philadelphia 76ers 109-103.

The Thunder (4-3) carried an 11-point lead into the fourth quarter, but Philadelphia slowly began to chip away at that advantage until it drew within three points. OKC called a timeout immediately after, and the defense buckled down.

Oklahoma City forced two steals in the final two minutes and made free throws down the stretch to prevent Philly from erasing the deficit. The last time the 76ers led came in the first quarter when they were up 28-25.

The Thunder’s offense played well for the majority of the game, and finished shooting 49 percent from the field. The fourth quarter was the only one in which OKC did not shoot better than 50 percent, and was also the only frame in which it failed to outscore Philadelphia.

Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook each finished with a game-high 31 points, and Durant went a perfect 16-for-16 from the free-throw line. Westbrook added a career-high 12 assists and his aggressiveness forced the 76ers’ Jrue Holliday into foul trouble.

As usual, Thabo Sefolosha and Serge Ibaka led the Thunder on the defensive end. Sefolosha recorded three steals, while Ibaka finished with four blocked shots.

Jrue Holliday, Elton Brand and Jodie Meeks finished in a three-way tie for the Philadelphia team lead with 17 points each. Holliday’s production came despite his foul trouble, while Meeks came off the bench. At one point in the fourth quarter, Meeks scored eight of the 76ers’ 12 points.

The Thunder was again without Nick Collison, who has not played yet this season. Jeff Green also did not play for the second straight game, and is listed as day-to-day.

The Thunder will remain at home for its next contest Friday, when it will host the Portland Trail Blazers (6-3). The Blazers are coming off their biggest win of the season, a 100-78 blowout of the Detroit Pistons.