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 The NBA's reigning MVP pumped in 28 points in his third game back
from a broken right foot, and the Oklahoma City Thunder handed the
Detroit Pistons their 12th consecutive loss, 96-94 on Sunday at The
Palace.
Durant, who played just 29 minutes, bounced back from a 10-point
performance at Philadelphia on Friday, his lowest output since April
2009. Oklahoma City's Scott Brooks, who recorded his 300th coaching
victory, is trying to ease Durant back from the injury by monitoring
his playing time.
"Last game, I approached the game trying to feel it out instead of
just playing," Durant said. "Now, I just try to play carefree, smart
basketball with the minutes that I have. Whatever Coach needs me to
do as far as coming in and out of the game, I've got to do it and
not worry about when I'm coming out."
Durant has played 30 minutes or fewer in each game since his return,
including a 27-point outing against the New Orleans Pelicans on
Tuesday in his season debut.
"I've got to be fully engaged to get lost in the game," he said.
"I'm usually like that, so I've got to continue to do it no matter
how many minutes I play."
Point guard Russell Westbrook supplied 22 points, 11 rebounds and
seven assists for the Thunder (7-13), who won for the fourth time in
five games. Power forward Serge Ibaka contributed 13 points and 13
rebounds, and reserve guard Jeremy Lamb added 12 points.
Shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope led Detroit (3-18) with 19
points, and he also had five assists. Center Andre Drummond had 16
points and nine rebounds, while forwards Josh Smith and Greg Monroe
added 12 points each. Smith missed a 3-pointer with 1.1 seconds
remaining, ensuring the Pistons of their longest losing streak since
they dropped 13 in a row during the 2009-10 season.
The Pistons tried to score in transition on their final possession,
with point guard Brandon Jennings kicking the ball out to Smith, a
poor perimeter shooter.
"I saw an advantage, so I told them 'go' rather than have (the
Grizzlies) set their defense," Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy said.
"At the time, it seemed like a heck of a decision to me, and I did
think we had an advantage. It didn't work, and this is a bottom-line
business, so it was the wrong decision."
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Detroit lost for the ninth straight time at home, with its last win
at The Palace coming against the Milwaukee Bucks on Nov. 7. The
Pistons' last victory of any kind was a 96-89 overtime triumph at
Oklahoma City on Nov. 14.
Durant capped a 9-0 Thunder run late in the third with a jumper, and
his two free throws in the closing seconds of the quarter gave the
visitors a 77-75 edge.
The Pistons went scoreless for the first 4:34 of the fourth while
Oklahoma City stretched its lead to nine with the aid of a Lamb
3-pointer.
"In terms of the way we played overall, it was a big step forward,"
Van Gundy said. "It's probably the best game we've played this year
given the quality of the opponent. But we had, let's say
conservatively, an eight-minute stretch where we walked around on
offense and didn't defend and didn't rebound. We don't have enough
margin for error to play 36, 38 or 40 minutes."
A three-point play by Durant made it 93-86 with 4:30 left, but the
Pistons fought back. When Detroit forward Kyle Singler hit a
3-pointer, Oklahoma City's lead was down to one. Durant finally
answered with a 3-pointer from the top of the key.
Drummond cut it to two with a dunk before Smith's failed 3-point
try.
NOTES: Oklahoma City's six free-throw attempts and one free throw
made in the teams' first meeting remain league lows for the season.
... Thunder PG Russell Westbrook was averaging 16.5 points in 11
career games against Detroit before Sunday, his third-lowest average
against any opponent. Charlotte (16.2 ppg) and the Los Angeles
Clippers (16.4) are the only teams that hold him to a lower average.
... The Pistons shot below 40 percent in their previous four games.
They finished at 44.7 percent Sunday. ... Detroit F Josh Smith
averaged 16.8 points, 9.5 rebounds and 7.0 assists in the previous
four games. ... The only other time the Pistons had fewer than five
victories after 21 games was in 2011-12, when they were 4-17. ...
The Thunder's average of 92.3 points per game ranked No. 29 in the
league through Saturday, ahead of only the Philadelphia 76ers
(92.0).
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