OKC Thunder 107 – Atlanta Hawks 94
Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook came out moving the ball on Thursday night against the Atlanta Hawks at the Chesapeake Energy Arena. The early benefactors were Serge Ibaka and Steven Adams as OKC played smart taking early advantage of Atlanta’s smallish bigs in Al Horford and Paul Milsap.
Ibaka and Adams both had solid evenings scoring 23 points and 11 points respectively. Ibaka’s 23 points were a season high–added with 10 rebounds and 2 blocked shots.
But the story of this game was the passing largesse of both Durant and Westbrook as they combined for 20 assists on the night. It marks only the second time in their careers they have both gone for at least ten assists on the same night. Durant had eight assists in the first half which is a career high for a half.
The two superstars had an obvious agenda–keep the ball moving, and get Serge Ibaka and Steven Adams involved. Mission accomplished. I thought it was Ibaka’s best game of the season and he’s my OKCThunderGround No. 1 Star of the Game.
Durant’s line was brilliant as he garnered the seventh triple double of his career with a 25 point, 12 rebound, 10 assist night. Westbrook was excellent as well going for 23 points and 10 assists. On the night–OKC’s Big Three of Durant, Westbrook, and Ibaka scored 71 points. Add in fellow starter Steven Adams’ 11 points and you have 82 of OKC’s points scored by four of their starters tonight.
Dion Waiters and Anthony Morrow chipped in with 9 and 8 points respectively.
OKC pounded the smallish Hawks 52-34 on the night. The Thunder had 24 assists to 14 turnovers.
Kent Bazemore led the Hawks in scoring with 24 points. Jeff Teague added 18 points.
OKC improves to 14-8 with the win.
A good night for the Thunder. They beat a good team by double digits and the ball kept moving as it did in Memphis. Two straight good wins where there was tangible improvement by the team. OKC has 55 assists in these two wins against Memphis and Atlanta. Something very much positive to build upon. Two key things I take away from this game…ball continued to move, Serge Ibaka played great.
OKC in Utah tomorrow night to play the 10-10 Jazz.
Mike Jackson