Thunder Earn 20-Point Win Over Bosh-Less Raptors

Originally Published: Feb 28, 2010 8:57 PM CDT

Stephany Speck
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Russell Westbrook earned his 16th double-double of the season with 14 points and 10 assists Sunday night to help the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Toronto Raptors, 119-99.

Westbrook currently ranks 37th in the NBA in double-doubles, while teammate Kevin Durant ranks at No. 30 with 18.

Four of the five Thunder starters scored in double digits.

Durant ended with 29 points, Jeff Green scored 20, Westbrook finished with 14, and Nenad Krstic contributed 16 points. While Thabo Sefolosha didn’t break the double-digit mark, he did end with four points, one assist and one rebound.

The Thunder’s bench also contributed to the team’s victory. Serge Ibaka earned a double-double with 13 points and 10 assists.

The Thunder have seen its fair share of fluctuating quarters in past games, but the team played a steady four quarters Sunday night.

Oklahoma City built a lead early in the game, never relinquished it and continued to chip away at the Raptors.

The contest was a very physical, with the Raptors racking up 23 personal fouls. The Thunder capitalized at the charity stripe, shooting 81.8 percent for the game and making10-of-11 at the foul line in the first quarter alone.

The Raptors were also missing forward Chris Bosh, which slowed their offensive drive. Andrea Bargnani scored 14 for Toronto, DeMar DeRozan added 13 and Jarrett Jack finished with 11 points.

Between the Raptors foul trouble and the Thunder’s high-pressure defense, Oklahoma City was able to build a 10-point lead at the end of the first quarter, and a 14-point lead by halftime.

Durant had 17 points and four rebounds by halftime, while Westbrook had seven assists and three steals.

Krstic ended the first half by hitting a 3-pointer off Westbrook’s seventh assist. The Thunder headed to the locker room ahead, leading 61-47.

During halftime, fans celebrated a big Thunder lead and Rumble the Bison’s birthday. Six NBA mascots from around the country traveled to the Ford Center to party with Rumble and take part in a dunk contest.

Rumble was introduced to Oklahoma City Feb. 17, 2009 and won the 2009 NBA Mascot of the Year award.

The Thunder return to the court on Mar. 2, when they host the Sacramento Kings at 7 p.m.