For the second time this season, Orlando’s Magic toyed with the notion of beating the Oklahoma City Thunder. But in the encore performance of the overtime thriller from earlier this season, Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant imposed their will during this game’s final minute of regulation. For the most part it was a game of 231 combined points, not great defense, but plenty of entertainment value as this one only required 48 minutes for the Thunder to escape with a rousing 117-114 win over the Magic inside a rocking Chesapeake Energy Arena.
Fast forward.
A Westbrook layup tied the game at 114 apiece with 29.4 seconds left. On Orlando’s ensuing possession, Serge Ibaka blocked Victor Oladipo’s layup at the rim. It was Ibaka’s sixth blocked shot of the game.
Dion Waiter’s grabbed the loose ball, then quickly moved the ball to the capable hands of Kevin Durant who dribbled past half court and hit nothing but net with a long three which swished with 0.5 seconds left. Timeout, Magic. Orlando got the ball to a swerving Oladipo on the ensuing inbounds, who then missed iron on a well guarded three as time expired, and for the second straight game–Durant and Westbrook saved the Thunder against a young Orlando team which has difficulty closing games.
Russell Westbrook registered his third straight triple double and eighth of the season. This one was eye popping though–even for Westbrook as he went for 24 points, a career high 19 rebounds, and 14 assists.
While Westbrook was his usual high energy self, Kevin Durant was elegant, efficient and scored 37 points on the night, including the game winner.
Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant are my co No. 1 Stars of the Game.
Victor Oladipo was magnificent again torching OKC for 37 points and making it a trying night for Dion Waiters. But before you go all analytical goofy comparing charts, graphs, real plus/minus vortexes, El Nino, and a stubborn westerly flow jet stream, remember Oladipo pretty much did the same thing to Andre Roberson in the overtime thriller back in Orlando. .. only from his back and out of bounds.
Serge Ibaka had an interesting line with 9 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 blocks. Dion Waiters scored 8 points on a 3-8 shooting night.
OKC’s bench scored 32 points as a unit with Kanter and Payne leading the way with 13 and 9 points respectively.
OKC improves to 38-13, winners of five straight and 12 of their last 13, but every soul in Thunder Nation knows what awaits in California on Super Bowl Saturday Night on ABC.
Namely, a Golden State team which improved to 45-4 tonight with a 134-121 pasting of the Washington Wizards. On the night, Curry and Co. went 20-42 from behind the arc in preparation of showing the NBA world on Saturday they hunger to be regarded as a historical team before all is said and done this basketball season.
It’s time to see what Oklahoma City is or isn’t.
Mike Jackson