Kevin Durant landed a triple double as the Oklahoma City Thunder recorded a 119-74 blowout victory over the outclassed New Orleans Hornets on Wednesday.
The Thunder improved to 42-15 with the win, keeping their hold on the second best record in the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) Western Conference as they try to chase down the leading San Antonio Spurs, who lost 105-101 in overtime to Phoenix to drop to 45-14.
Russell Westbrook was the main destroyer for the Thunder with 29 points while Durant contributed 18 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists.
“I’m happy with the way we competed tonight,” Thunder coach Scott Brooks told reporters.
“I thought our defensive effort was outstanding for 48 minutes, we passed the ball very well and our overall effort was good. We utilized Russell and KD in different areas of the floor.”
Serge Ibaka also added 18 points for the home side while Ryan Anderson top scored for the Hornets with 14 points as New Orleans dropped to 20-39.
The Hornets’ cause not helped by the absence of Anthony Davis and Eric Gordon, not that coach Monty Williams was looking for excuses.
“You lose a game like that and you certainly don’t feel good about it and yet it’s part of our growth,” Williams said.
“But, I thought our guys played younger than their age and they need to learn in situations like that. We just didn’t play well tonight.”
Hot Curry throws up 54 In loss to Knicks
GoldenState guard Stephen Curry scored a NBA season-high 54 points but only earned praise and not a win as the New York Knicks prevailed 109-105 against the Warriors at MadisonSquareGarden on Wednesday.
Curry’s career-best mark saw him land 18 of 28 shots from the field, 11 of 13 from the three-point arc and all seven free throw attempts.
“I felt good all night,” Curry said.
“I obviously played the whole game so I was trying to keep my legs underneath me on the offensive end and stick to the game plan on the defensive end.
“Once I started to see that three ball going down in transition and all sorts of spots over the floor, I knew it was going to be a good night.”
Curry also added six rebounds and seven assists on a hot night but the Warriors dropped to 33-25 as Carmelo Anthony notched up 35 points to move the Knicks to 34-20.
“Beautiful to watch,” Knicks coach Mike Woodson said of Curry’s night.
“We closed out. We made the defensive stops that we had to make coming down the stretch ... but boy, you got to tip your hat, Curry’s pretty good tonight.”
The Warriors were without the suspended David Lee leaving Carl Landry as the next best scorer with just 15 points.
