Jazz Rout Thunder on Halloween

Oklahoma City started slow and never recovered in 120-99 home loss.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 12:00 pm

By: News On 6

Originally Published: Oct 31, 2010 8:57 PM CDT

Grant Belcher
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

OKLAHOMA CITY – It was undeniable the Thunder would lose some games this season, but few expected the type of blowout loss Oklahoma City endured in front of its home crowd on Sunday night.

OKC was never really competitive in a 120-99 Halloween loss to the Jazz at Oklahoma City Arena.

The Thunder kept it close for a small stretch in the first period, including two free throws from Russell Westbrook to put the Thunder up 14-13, but that was the last lead OKC would have.

Rookie Cole Aldrich made his debut for the Thunder and got his first points in impressive fashion on a tip-in dunk late in the first quarter to pull Oklahoma City to within 23-22. Aldrich had five points and two rebounds in 11 minutes.

But Utah made its big push at the end of the second quarter, outscoring OKC 17-4 to head to the break.

The Thunder trailed by as many as 27 in the third quarter, but made one small run partway through the third.

OKC hit 10 free throws and a layup in a span of just more than a minute. The 12-0 run cut the lead to 15 as coach Scott Brooks used full-court pressure and half court traps with his young squad to put the heat on the Jazz.

But Utah sustained the run and was never threatened for the remainder of the game.

Kevin Durant had 28 to lead the Thunder, and Russell Westbrook added 22 with five assists and four rebounds.

The Jazz put up some ridiculous numbers, shooting 53 percent from the floor and 64 percent from 3-point range.

Oklahoma City will have a couple of days to recover before heading to Los Angeles to play the L.A. Clippers and former OU player Blake Griffin on Wednesday.