Nov 1, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) and guard Russell Westbrook (0) during a stoppage in play against the Denver Nuggets during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
It was a rough week for the Thunder after a great start. Although with a new coach and a new system, some growing pains were to be expected.
This was a competitive game early, as shots were traded back and forth by both teams. The score was tied 17-17 with just over 4 minutes remaining in the 1st quarter when the Thunder scored 7 unanswered to take a 24-17 lead with less than 3 to play in the quarter. That 7-point lead would hold for the remainder of the period, with the score 29-22 going into the 2nd.
A Kyle Singler 3-pointer would extend the lead 32-22 for the Thunder, but the Nuggets fired back with 8 unanswered to cut the lead 32-30 with 8:21 remaining in the half. Both teams would trade shots again until about 7 minutes to go in the first half. The score was 39-37 when the Thunder hit 3 consecutive 3-pointers to claim a 48-37 lead with 5:24 left in the 2nd quarter. The Nuggets would only be able to chip into the lead slightly, as the Thunder took a 58-50 lead to the locker room at halftime.
The Nuggets weren’t necessarily in trouble to start the 3rd, but it got out of hand quickly. After a pair of Danilo Gallinari free throws answered a Russell Westbrook layup, the Thunder exploded for a 27-8 run that pushed the Thunder lead to 87-60 with 3:35 remaining in the 3rd. This essentially broke the Nuggets’ collective spirit. The quarter would end with the Thunder up 95-70, and the Thunder starters would sit for the remainder of the game.
Both teams went back and forth for the first half of the 4th quarter, but the Nuggets were unable to close the gap. The Thunder were up 108-85 when they scored another 7 unanswered to claim their largest lead of the night, 115-85 with 2:36 to play. The Nuggets would score 8 unanswered to close the gap 115-93 before an Enes Kanter reverse layup mercifully ended the game with a 117-93 final.
Kanter had the only double-double for either side from off of the Thunder bench, as he scored 12 points while pulling down 10 rebounds. Kevin Durant’s 25 points led all scorers to take the court, while Serge Ibaka finished with 18 points, Westbrook ended with 15, and Andre Roberson added 10. The bench made some big contributions, as D.J. Augustin dropped 14 points, and Dion Waiters added 10 of his own.
A bad night for the Nuggets showed in the box score, as Gallinari’s 15 points led the starters, while Joffery Lauvergne added 11. Will Barton came off of the bench for 15 points, and Jameer Nelson contributed 13 bench points of his own.
The Thunder were hitting on all cylinders to this point, and were about to head to Houston to face a struggling Rockets team. This looked like a sure win for the Thunder. The thing about the NBA, and professional sports in general, is that nothing is a guarantee.
Next: Rockets Blast Off