Game Grades: OKC Thunder dominate Blazers for fifth-largest win in NBA history
By Ivan White
The Oklahoma City Thunder had one of the most dominant performances in NBA history.
The Thunder beat the Portland Trail Blazers 139-77 to earn some different records. The 62-point win marked the largest margin of victory in a game this season and tied for the fifth-largest in NBA history.
It looked like the Thunder may have been in for a tough night after Scoot Henderson scored the game’s first five points. But on the second night of a back-to-back, the Thunder took control.
The OKC Thunder pulled away early in a dominant effort.
A 22-2 run immediately followed Hemderson’s first points and allowed the Thunder to take control of the first half.
After the Thunder steadily built the lead up to 20, it rapidly grew at the end of the second quarter. With a 36-point halftime lead, the Thunder were not finished.
A monstrous third quarter gave Oklahoma City the largest lead through three quarters in league history at 62. But with a shot at more history, Portland started the fourth with a spurt.
Playing the Thunder even in the final frame, the Blazers walked out of Paycom Center with at least some dignity. The Thunder moved into a tie with the Minnesota Timberwolves for the first seed in the West.