OKC Thunder 121 — New Orleans Pelicans 95
On a night when neither team really wanted to play this game, OKC’s Thunder beat the New Orleans Pelicans by a score of 121-95. It was a game which was uncomfortable to watch given the death of Ingrid Williams and the obvious pale it thrust over players from both teams. In a more perfect, humane world, NBA Commish Adam Silver would have postponed this game and rescheduled it, but this was not to be on a night when this was the opening game on the TNT Thursday night broadcast.
Players from both teams professed their love, respect, and concern for Monty Williams. It was a raw, emotional night for Kevin Durant and Ryan Anderson and pretty much all of the players from both teams in that Monty Williams was the New Orleans coach the previous five seasons.
From a human view it was a testimonial to the type of person Monty Williams is and the respect he commands from the players.
The best thing about this game is that it’s over and behind both teams as they head into the All-Star break.
Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant were efficient and much too much for this New Orleans team to hang with given the night and the season.
OKC improves to 40-14, while New Orleans under first year Pels coach Alvin Gentry will somehow try to salvage something of a so far disastrous season after the break.
Mike Jackson