The Oklahoma City Thunder ran away from the Houston Rockets in the second half Sunday night as they took game one 120-91. Kevin Durant led the way with 24 points as James Harden returned to Chesapeake Energy Arena for the first time as a playoff foe.
This time last season, Harden had a pivotal role in the Thunder’s playoff run that fell short of a title after losing to the Miami Heat in the finals. This year, Harden will have to beat his old team if he hopes to make it out of the first round of the Western Conference.
The Thunder jumped out to an early 11-point lead before the Rockets stormed back to tie the game in the second quarter. Just before the half, Oklahoma City went on a 14-1 run to regain control, and their defense took over from there.
The Thunder went on to hold the Rockets to 36 percent shooting from the field and led by more than 30 points for most of the second half. James Harden didn’t see the floor in the fourth quarter while Oklahoma City’s reserves finished off the Rockets.
Harden led the Rockets with 20 points and six rebounds in the loss. Patrick Beverley added 11 points while Carlos Delfino pitched in 10 points off the bench. No other Rockets player finished in double-figures as shooting woes and a stagnant offense led to the game one blowout.
Russell Westbrook ran the Thunder offense from the top of the key and added a double-double to compliment Durant’s big night. The 24-year-old finished with 19 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists in just over 30 minutes on the court.
Serge Ibaka made his presence felt in the post and ended with 17 points and seven rebounds while Kevin Martin added 16 points off the bench for the Thunder. Durant was impressed with his team’s defensive effort Sunday night as the Thunder took a one-game lead.
“We just wanna try to make them uncomfortable every time down,” Durant said after the game. “But that goes for the offensive end. We gotta be disciplined and taking good shots and making the right plays.”
Game two will be Wednesday night as the Rockets look to move past Sunday’s defeat and even the series at one. Their shooting will have to be much better if they plan on leaving Oklahoma City with a split.
Can Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder keep up the pressure in game two as the Houston Rockets look to get back on track and end their shooting woes?
[Image via Keith Allison ]