OKC Thunder vs. Phoenix Suns Game Grades
Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
The Oklahoma City Thunder completed their road trip last night beating the Phoenix Suns 102-90 to finish the trip 3-0 and improve to 30-8 on the year.
This was the second win for the Thunder vs. Phoenix this season. OKC was playing last night the second game of a road back-to-back and they were again without Serge Ibaka who continued to sit on the sideline with a chest contusion.
The Thunder played very well on the defensive end again holding Phoenix to just 90 points on 41.7 percent shooting.
OKC would shoot 47.6 percent and turn the ball over just 10 times. The first time the Thunder played the Suns, they turned the ball over a franchise-low five times.
The Thunder will be off today then hosting the Denver Nuggets at home Wednesday night for their next game.
Here are the Game Grades:
Kevin Durant – 43 minutes, 41 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists – A+
Durant was once again unconscious last night dropping 41. In the last three games for OKC (all on the road), Durant has scored 42, 33 and 41 points, an average of 38.7 points per game. Durant was not nice last night either. In the fourth quarter, he was scowling on every possession as he looked extra determined to light up the Suns. After making shots, he would turn and stare down the Phoenix bench. It all culminated for Durant when he dropped down the hammer on Marcin Gortat in what was one of the dunks of the year so far this season.
Russell Westbrook – 36 minutes, 36 points, 5 assists, 8 rebounds – A+
Westbrook had his pull-up jump shot going early and often and it lasted the entire game. He took it personal that Goran Dragic was trying to check him with no help and like Durant, he too stared down Dragic after scoring on him. Durant and Westbrook combined for 77 in the game. The Thunder don’t often lose when that’s the case.
Kevin Martin – 33 minutes, 12 points, 2 rebounds, 3 steals – B
Martin kind of got out of his shooting slump last night making 5-of-12 shots and 2-of-6 from deep. It was definitely a step up from what he’s been producing and going back home for their next game will be good medicine for Martin’s jumper. With the way Durant and Westbrook have been playing, open shots will be even more plentiful for Martin so he needs to start hitting them a little more often.
Kendrick Perkins – 29 minutes, 0 points, 13 rebounds, 1 assist – B+
Perkins missed all four of his shots but his 13 boards in just 29 minutes was very impressive. He was a presence inside altering Suns shots and protecting the paint. Perkins has been playing pretty well of late and has stepped up in the last two games with Ibaka sidelined.
Thabo Sefolosha – 28 minutes, 4 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists – B
Sefolosha returned from his neck injury last night and looked fine. He didn’t attempt any threes and made both of his field goal attempts. Sefolosha went right back to his normal rotation despite DeAndre Liggins having such a great game the night before in Portland.
Nick Collison – 16 minutes, 2 points, 1 assist, 1 block – C
Collison got the start again with Ibaka out but only played 16 minutes. Part of the reason was because Hasheem Thabeet was playing so well and Durant was at the four a lot again. Can’t remember the last time Collison didn’t grab a rebound in a game.
Hasheem Thabeet – 22 minutes, 5 points, 6 rebounds, 2 blocks – B+
Thabeet had his best game in awhile being very active on both ends of the floor. He finished a few shots inside and swatted a few shots at the other end. Thabeet did have four turnovers and commit five fouls in 22 minutes though.
Reggie Jackson – 12 minutes, 0 points, 3 assists, 1 rebound – C
Westbrook was playing so well so Jackson didn’t get much run. He only attempted one shot and missed it. The three assists were nice to see from Jackson though because he hasn’t been getting many lately.
DeAndre Liggins – 14 minutes, 0 points, 1 rebound – C+
A night after starting and playing 40 minutes, Liggins only played 14 in Phoenix. He missed his one 3-point attempt and two free throws as well but it’s the little things that you judge Liggins by.
Perry Jones, III – 7 minutes, 2 points, 3 rebounds – C+
Jones attempted and made one midrange jumper then later passed up a wide open look. It’s no secret that he needs to be more assertive with his game to help the Thunder in any way. He’s just trying to fit in right now and it looks like the game feels to be 100 mph to him.