|
 However, on a night when Westbrook collected a triple-double and
Durant was the leading scorer, it was Ibaka who made the plays down
the stretch to key the Thunder's 114-98 victory over the Washington
Wizards on Monday at the Chesapeake Energy Arena.
Ibaka finished with 19 points, 10 rebounds and a pair of
fourth-quarter blocked shots.
"I thought Serge was great tonight," Thunder coach Billy Donovan
said. "He scored the ball and made some shots. But I really thought
he was active defensively. I thought Serge overall had a really,
really great game."
Durant scored 28 points on 9-of-18 shooting to go with nine rebounds
and four assists for the Thunder (37-13).
Westbrook collected his seventh triple-double of the season with 17
points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists. He is now two behind league
leader Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors in triple-doubles
this season.
"My teammates do a great job of getting open," Westbrook said.
Oklahoma City center Enes Kanter came off the bench to score 14.
Guard Bradley Beal came off the bench to score 18 points for
Washington (21-25). Center Marcin Gortat had 17 points on 8-of-12
shooting, and guard John Wall added 17 points and eight assists.
The Wizards were outrebounded 53-27, and they shot only 7-for-26
from 3-point range.
"We were timid from the beginning," Washington forward Jared Dudley
said. "When that happens against a good team, it sets the tone. From
there, we're in an uphill battle."
After leading by as much as 18, the Thunder held a 106-96 advantage
with 3:15 left in the game. Ibaka hit a jumper on the next
possession to push the margin back to 12.
Ibaka then came up with back-to-back blocks at the rim to keep the
Wizards from getting closer.
Durant, who was visibly frustrated all night with lack of foul
calls, went to the free-throw line and buried a pair to give
Oklahoma City a 14-point lead. Both teams then emptied their
benches.
Led by their two All-Stars, the Thunder came out firing. Durant and
Westbrook were a combined 8-for-9 from the field in the first
quarter. Combined with Ibaka, the trio scored 28 of the team's 36
first-quarter points as Oklahoma City led by 10.
[to top of second column] |
Unlike the first time the teams met, the Wizards had the services of
both Beal and center Nene, who came off the bench. Neither had much
of an impact in the first half, though, as the offense ran through
Wall and Gortat.
Both teams shot over 50 percent from the field in the first half.
However, the Thunder dominated on second-chance points 12-0, and
they led 64-52 at intermission.
Washington came on strong in the second half and cut the deficit to
five midway through the third quarter. However, that just seemed to
only make Oklahoma City upset.
The Thunder outscored the Wizards 18-9 the rest of the quarter to
take a 92-76 advantage into the fourth.
"Westbrook, Durant, they said we're not going to be shown up,"
Washington assistant coach Don Newman said. "And they showed us."
NOTES: Oklahoma City F Kevin Durant was selected the Western
Conference Players of the Week. His league-best average of 34.7
points for the week helped the Thunder to a 3-0 record. He ranked
fourth in the conference with 11.7 rebounds, contributed 4.3 assists
and averaged a conference-high 40.0 minutes. It is the 22nd time in
his career Durant has earned the honor and the fourth time this
season. ... Wizards coach Randy Wittman was not on the bench Monday
after his brother, Rick, died late Friday night in Indianapolis, the
team announced. Wittman is also scheduled to miss Wednesday's game
against the Golden State Warriors before returning for Friday's
contest against the Philadelphia 76ers. ... After missing one game
with concussion symptoms, Thunder G Cameron Payne was back in the
lineup Monday. He scored eight points in 13 minutes. "I feel good
about where he is at right now," Thunder coach Billy Donovan said.
[© 2016 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
Copyright 2016 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |
