Oklahoma City Thunder Week In Review +1: 11/1-11/8

Nov 2, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) reacts after making a three point basket against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the fourth quarter at Toyota Center. Rocket won 110 to 105. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports

Little did anyone realize that a 7-0 Rockets run to open the game would characterize the night for the Thunder. it was a run that would end at 11-5 about midway through the 1st. With the Rockets up 19-14 with 3:58 remaining in the opening period, the Thunder would score 12 unanswered to claim a 26-19 lead with under a minute left in the quarter. A Corey Brewer layup would stop the bleeding for the Rockets, and close the gap 26-21 to end the 1st.

Brewer would score again to close the gap further, 26-23 to start the 2nd quarter. The Thunder would then score 7 unanswered to claim a 33-23 lead with just over 10 minutes to go in the half. The Rockets would answer with a 9-2 run of their own to cut the lead to 35-32 with just over 8 minutes to play in the first half. 8 unanswered points by the Thunder pushed their lead to 44-32 with 6:35 left in the 2nd. Both teams would trade shots for the remainder of the half, and the Thunder would take a 65-54 lead back to the locker room at halftime.

Everything seemed fine for the Thunder, as they were enjoying a 73-59 lead with 8:34 to pay in the 3rd. That’s when the Rockets decided they had enough of being down double digits, and mounted a 14-2 run to close the gap to 75-73 with just over 4 minutes to play in the quarter. The Thunder tried to hold them off, but the Rockets would end the quarter with 7 unanswered points to take an 82-79 lead into the 4th quarter.

Back and forth characterized the 4th quarter, with the score tied 99-99 with 4:49 to play. Unfortunately for the Thunder, they would be outscored 11-6 the rest of the way, and the Rockets claimed their first win of the season 110-105.

Double-doubles by Westbrook (25 points, 11 assists) and Ibaka (12 points, 14 rebounds) were not enough to claim victory. Durant finished with 29 points, while Augustin had 12 off of the bench.

James Harden’s 37 points led all scorers, and Ty Lawson had a 14-point, 11-assist double-double. Dwight Howard was good for 16 points, and Marcus Thornton added 12. Brewer added 12 from off of the bench.

The Thunder would have a night to shake it off before trying to cool off a very hot Raptors team at home. I noticed a few Thunder fans trying to downplay the Raptors’ record before the game. They didn’t have much to say after the game, however.

Next: Raptors Defense Too Much For OKC