Behind a Kevin Durant 32 point, 11 rebound night, the OKC Thunder eventually overwhelmed the Phoenix Suns by a 124-103 count to end their three game losing streak. OKC improves to 4-3 while Phoenix drops to 3-4.
OKC jumped out quickly to an early double digit lead, but OKC’s bench promptly allowed Phoenix back into the game. OKC’s starters got part of the lead back and led 60-54 at halftime.
The second half was pretty much OKC expanding the lead and taking care of business in a matter of fact win against a Phoenix team which isn’t nearly as fun to watch this season without Dragic, Gerald Green and the departed Morris twin. Eric Bledsoe was the lone bright spot for Phoenix with a line of 28 points and 11 assists.
But a win is a step forward, you take it and hope some things were learned by OKC tonight as far as self team discovery.
Westbrook was solid with 21 points, 6 rebounds and 11 assists. Both Enes Kanter and Dion Waiters had solid nights for the otherwise struggling OKC bench unit. Kanter was 9-10 from the field going for 21 points. Waiters scored 19 points on a six of nine night from the field. Interesting note–this marks the first time in the history of the Thunder two bench players have scored at least 19 points on the same night. The rest of the OKC bench was in a word…lacking.
Mitch McGary did play regular rotational minutes tonight coming off the bench, but looked rusty, awkward and a step out of sync. He struggled. Kyle Singler kept his minutes and like McGary…struggled. DJ Augustin was better than Singler and McGary, but I’m not sure what that says at this point. Nick Collison was a DNP, as was Anthony Morrow.
Expected this on the Collison front tonight, didn’t expect it on the Anthony Morrow front. Early in this season it appears Billy Donovan has relegated Morrow to basically a three point specialist role who might play on some nights, but on other nights won’t play because of his defensive issues. But still—Singler hasn’t shown much and I loved watching him play at Duke so it’s not like I’m a Kyle Singler hater or something of the like. We’ll see if he can get going and make some shots to make it appear the Reggie Jackson trade to Detroit isn’t a bust.
The North Edmond Little League soccer mothers on the Cox telecast awarded Dion Waiters as their player of the game. Not horrible, and in fact I thought of going with Dion and Enes Kanter as my co-players of the game. But in the end couldn’t do it because the Big Dog exerted his will in this game . Kevin Durant is my OKCThunderGround No. 1 Star of the Game with 32 points on a 12-19 shooting night. Throw in the 11 rebounds, 4 assists and three steals and unless you’re into participation ribbons how could it be anyone else tonight but Kevin Durant.
A win in the West is a win. You don’t piss on it, but in reality we didn’t learn much tonight except this Phoenix team is pretty boring to watch without Dragic getting under Westbrook’s skin, the Morris Twins playing happily together in their fantasy basketball play crib and Gerald Green jacking shots.
OKC on the road against the Wizards on Tuesday night.
Mike Jackson