OKC Thunder vs. Orlando Magic Game Grades
Mar 22, 2013; Orlando, FL, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder small forward Kevin Durant (35) celebrates after scoring a three point jump shot during the fourth quarter at Amway Center. Oklahoma City defeated Orlando 97-89. Mandatory Credit: Douglas Jones-USA TODAY Sports
The Oklahoma City Thunder got back in the win column last night beating the Orlando Magic 97-89 on the road.
The Thunder comfortably led 47-34 at halftime and then Orlando started to come back in the second half.
The Magic outscored the Thunder 32-23 in the third quarter and would tie the score late in the game.
The game was tied with 2:44 left before Kevin Durant made a three-pointer to give OKC an 89-86 lead.
The Thunder led the rest of the way while the final eight Thunder points were all scored by Durant and Russell Westbrook at the free throw line.
The Thunder improve to 51-19 on the year with the win and end their two-game losing streak. OKC will host the Portland Trail Blazers Sunday at 7 p.m. EST.
Here are the Game Grades:
Kevin Durant – 41 minutes, 25 points, 8 rebounds, 2 rebounds – B
Durant shot efficiently but we’re used to that. He went 7-for-14 from the field, 2-for-3 from three and 9-for-11 from the free throw line. He finished with just two assists to five turnovers which has been a recent problematic trend for KD. He did finish off the Magic late in the fourth hitting a clutch three and some clutch free throws. Kind of feels like we haven’t seen the best of KD in awhile.
Russell Westbrook – 35 minutes, 19 points, 9 assists, 6 rebounds – B-
Westbrook was pretty quiet for most of this game and then really started to assert himself in the fourth quarter as the Magic came back. He ended up with a three-to-one assist-to-turnover ratio which is a nice mark for him. He went 7-for-17 from the field which isn’t too bad either. He had an easy time driving to the rim against Orlando and the way in which he was successful doing it last night is something he won’t be able to replicate against a quality opponent.
Serge Ibaka – 36 minutes, 14 points, 13 rebounds, 5 blocks – B+
Ibaka bounced back and had a nice game after two very poor ones vs. Denver and Memphis. He made 5-of-11 shots and crashed the offensive boards for six rebounds. The Thunder need Ibaka to play this way more consistently.
Kevin Martin – 25 minutes, 15 points, 2 assists, 3 rebounds – B+
The Thunder were very good while Martin was on the floor last night outscoring Orlando by 16. Martin shot 50 percent from the field and from the three-point line which is all you can ask for him. His minutes have been going down recently and it’s starting to seem like he isn’t playing quite enough.
Kendrick Perkins – 26 minutes, 6 points, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks – C+
The Magic were without any true center last night as Nikola Vucevic missed the game. Perkins played a pretty typical game for him considering who the opponent was.
Thabo Sefolosha – 27 minutes, 5 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist – C
One of the reason this game was close at the end is Sefolosha’s inability to knock down any threes. He went 0-for-4 from distance in the game and still played more than Martin. When he isn’t making threes, he can become kind of a liability.
Nick Collison – 19 minutes, 11 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist – A
Collison was a game-time decision last night and then played a played very well. This is no surprise with Collison. When Collison can score, it is such a nice lift for this Thunder team. Orlando was shorthanded inside and Collison completely took advantage.
Reggie Jackson – 15 minutes, 2 points, 3 rebounds – C
Jackson didn’t really do much at all last night. He didn’t have any assists and went 0-for-2 from downtown. It’s hard to like the fact that almost all of his minutes are with Derek Fisher on the floor with him.
Derek Fisher – 12 minutes, 0 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist – D
Fisher went 0-for-3 from the field and is doing much more harm than good. Why is he playing?
DeAndre Liggins – 4 minutes, 0 points – C
Liggins gets the nod over Ronnie Brewer last night as Scott Brooks was looking for a spark from someone. Brewer just has to feel insulted by the way he is being treated by the Thunder and there’s nothing good about that.