OKC Thunder vs. Phoenix Suns Game Grades
Feb 8, 2013; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) dunks the ball against Phoenix Suns forward Markieff Morris (11) during the first half at the Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
The Oklahoma City Thunder won their third straight game last night beating the Phoenix Suns at Chesapeake Energy Arena 127-96 to improve to 38-12 on the year.
This was the third time this season that the Thunder topped the Suns. OKC committed just eight turnovers last night. Back on New Year’s Eve against Phoenix, they had a franchise-low five turnovers.
The Thunder used a 21-0 run in the third quarter to pull away in this one. They would outscore the Suns 72-46 in the second half.
The Thunder will play the Suns again for their next game Sunday night in Phoenix.
Here are the Game Grades:
Kevin Durant – 31 minutes, 21 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists – B+
Durant started the game off scorching hot making all four of his three-point attempts in the first quarter. He would only take one more three the rest of the game and didn’t need to do much else for the Thunder to come out on top. He was playing more of the distributor role allowing his teammates to do more scoring than usual. Durant had a big highlight in the second quarter dunking all over Markieff Morris.
Russell Westbrook – 25 minutes, 17 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds – B+
Westbrook got in a little foul trouble early on and ended up not playing that many minutes. In the second half he started putting on a show with a couple of authoritative dunks. He was really efficient from the field shooting 8-for-14 overall.
Serge Ibaka – 28 minutes, 9 points, 5 rebounds, 3 blocks – B
Ibaka matched his career-high of four assists for the second straight game. Developing as a passer is the next step in his game and he has shown in these last two games that he can do it. He hit another three as well and blocked three shots.
Kevin Martin – 21 minutes, 16 points, 1 rebound, 1 steal – B+
Martin made it five straight games with three three-pointers made as he went 3-for-5 from distance last night. He has looked fantastic lately and if he keeps it up will make a push for Sixth Man of the Year.
Kendrick Perkins – 27 minutes, 17 points, 9 rebounds, 3 blocks – A+
This isn’t a misprint. Perkins scored the most he ever has in a Thunder uniform last night on 8-of-9 shooting. This was clearly his best game of the year. Perkins has really been shooting well lately and it makes the Thunder that much better when they can get any kind of offense out of him.
Thabo Sefolosha – 26 minutes, 18 points, 2 rebounds, 2 blocks – A+
Sefolosha also scored a season-high last night thanks to a career-high four three-pointers out of six attempts. When Perkins and Sefolosha combine for 35, the Thunder never lose. Sefolosha has been aggressive shooting threes lately and last night finally hit a bunch of them.
Nick Collison – 17 minutes, 4 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists – B+
Collison is becoming so crucial as a passer on the Thunder second unit. He ends up with five dimes last night as the Thunder’s ability to knock down outside shots was a huge reason for this.
Reggie Jackson – 17 minutes, 2 points, 3 assists, 1 rebound – C+
Jackson only took two shots and didn’t get many rebounds. His assists have been climbing lately which is a good sign for the Thunder.
Hasheem Thabeet – 17 minutes, 4 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist – C+
Thabeet’s two buckets were both nice dunks inside. He uncharacteristically didn’t block any shots but was still solid inside.
DeAndre Liggins – 12 minutes, 3 points – C+
Liggins knocked down a three which is good to see and he was all over the place on defense as usual.
Perry Jones, III – 7 minutes, 6 points, 1 rebound – B+
Jones kept getting wide open when he came in and it resulted in three very nice dunks by him. His athleticism is off the charts and maybe a few more games like this could set him free.
Eric Maynor – 7 minutes, 6 points, 2 assists, 1 steal – A
You can’t do much more than Maynor did in seven minutes. He made all three of his field goal attempts and had a few nice dimes.
Daniel Orton – 5 minutes, 4 points, 3 rebounds – B+
There was another Orton sighting last night. He scored twice and two of his rebounds came on the offensive end. He moves really well for his size and looks like he could develop into a solid backup big one day.