Persistent Warriors Sneak by Thunder

Originally Published: Apr 11, 2010 11:21 PM CDT

Stephany Speck
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

OAKLAND, California – The Oklahoma City Thunder led the Golden State Warriors at halftime, but struggled to hold on to the lead, losing 120-117 Sunday night.

The Thunder (49-31) watched a 20-point lead slip away, despite Kevin Durant’s 40 points, Russell Westbrook’s 20 and Jeff Green’s 16. Oklahoma City out-rebounded the Warriors (25-55) by 11, including Nick Collison, who quietly accumulated 12 rebounds for the night. Durant added 10, while Serge Ibaka grabbed 12.

The Thunder’s 55 rebounds weren’t enough though, as the Warriors took shot-after-shot from the perimeter. Golden State shot 57 percent from the three-point range and almost 51 percent from the field, while the Thunder struggled, shooting 43 percent from the arc and 42 percent from the field.

The persistent Warriors nagged the Thunder’s defense, creating just enough space to get a shot off, hustling just a little more than Oklahoma’s defense to grab a rebound and finishing strong in the final 12 minutes to win the last game of the series.

The Thunder’s woes echoed through the fourth quarter, as it turned the ball over five times to a hungry Warrior offense looking to cut the lead and pull ahead.

Monta Ellis led the Warriors with 27 points, while rookie Stephen Curry added 25 points, seven rebounds and seven assists for Golden State. Reggie Williams finished with 20 points and nine rebounds.

The Warriors’ Sunday night win marked the final game of the series between the two teams, in which the Thunder lead 3-1.

The Thunder travel to Portland Monday to face the Trail Blazers.