| |
|
NBA -- OKC holds off Orlando, stays No.2 in the West
By Homer D. Sayson PhilBoxing.com Sun, 17 Mar 2013

CHICAGO -- With just four defeats in 34 home games, the Chesapeake Energy Arena is one of the toughest buildings to play in the NBA. And the Oklahoma City Thunder reinforced that reputation with yet another victory Friday night before their 100th consecutive sell-out.
Behind the big guns of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, who combined for 49 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists, the Thunder held off the visiting Orlando Magic, 117-104. Serge Ibaka and reserve Kevin Martin chipped in 20 and 15 points respectively for the Thunder, who led by as many as 27 points and made 42 of their 76 field goals.
With their 49th win in 66 games, OKC remains at No.2 in the Western Conference, trailing the 50-16 San Antonio Spurs by just one game. The streaking Miami Heat, winners of 21 straight and counting, hold the NBA's best record overall with a 50-14 slate.
All five of Orlando's starters scored in double figures with point guard Jameer Nelson finishing with 26 and seven assists while Nekola Vucevic turning in 21 and 14 rebounds. Aaron Afflalo had 20, Tobias Harris added 19 and Maurice Harkless settled for 12. But the Magic, who cut a 27-point deficit all the way down to 103-99, shot just 43.5 percent from the field and 25.9 from 3-point range.
"We knew they'd play hard but our focus was inconsistent throughout the game and that's something we have to get better at. We missed a lot of free throws and a lot of layups. The bright spot about this game is that it's over with," OKC Thunder head coach Scott Brooks told NBA.com after his team's close escape against an Orlando team that has won only 18 of 66 contests. (Homer D. Sayson)
Photo: Power reserve Kevin Martin slams home an easy two in OKC's 117-104 destruction of the Orlando Magic.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Homer D. Sayson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Conor Benn dominates Chris Eubank Jr to claim emphatic rematch victory By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 16 Nov 2025Filipino GM Antonio beats Argentinian CM Daniri , maintains second place in Spain chess tourney By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 16 Nov 2025NBA ALL STAR 2026: USA VS. WORLD By Maloney L. Samaco, , Sun, 16 Nov 2025Chris Eubank Jr. vs Conor Benn 2: Will Eubank Step on the Gas Pedal Earlier? By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 15 Nov 2025Filipino Boxers Make Weight in Highland Show in Thailand By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 15 Nov 2025Tickets ON SALE NOW for Xander Zayas vs. Abass Baraou Title Unification Showdown at Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan , Sat, 15 Nov 2025Russ Westbrook set record setting 10,000 assists By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 15 Nov 2025GM Joey Antonio draws Becker to maintain second place in Spain chess tourney By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 15 Nov 20254th Gov. Ruel Pacquiao Motocross Competition By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 15 Nov 2025Weigh-In Results: Rafael Espinoza vs. Arnold Khegai , Sat, 15 Nov 2025Soledad fights Thai for WBC Asia Continental Welter title on Nov. 29 By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 15 Nov 2025Former Champ Joseph Parker fails drug test on WBO championship fight By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 15 Nov 2025R&B PROMOTIONS RETURNS TO HARD ROCK LIVE AT ETESS ARENA FOR FIGHT NIGHT 4 ON NOVEMBER 22, 2025 , Sat, 15 Nov 2025WEIGHIN RESULTS FROM ALL STAR BOXING SHOW IN MANAGUA , Sat, 15 Nov 2025Tapales wins by a unanimous decision By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 14 Nov 2025Porres III to fight Narukami for vacant IBF Youth flyweight title tomorrow By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 14 Nov 2025Press Conference Notes: Featherweight King Rafael Espinoza Readies for Mexican Homecoming , Fri, 14 Nov 2025MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS HOSTS “BABY SHOWER” TO BENEFIT MARINE TOYS FOR TOTS IN HONOR OF PAPA-TO-BE JIMUEL PACQUIAO’S PRO DEBUT , Fri, 14 Nov 2025DANGEROUS SUPER WELTERWEIGHTS FRANCISCO VERON AND ROIMAN VILLA COLLIDE IN “DO OR DIE” MAIN EVENT ON PROBOXTV’S FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS , Fri, 14 Nov 2025Jeter Promotions Kacie Wheeler Back in Action on November 22 , Fri, 14 Nov 2025Filipino GM Antonio beats German FIDE Master for stay in second place in Spain Chess Tournament By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 14 Nov 2025ROUND 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: A Gathering Of Legends By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Thu, 13 Nov 2025Antonio draws with England's Arkell in Spain chess tiff By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 13 Nov 2025NBA announces the new format to All Star Game By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 13 Nov 2025Press Conference Notes: Xander Zayas & Abass Baraou Face Off Ahead of January 31 Title Unification Showdown in San Juan, Puerto Rico , Thu, 13 Nov 2025 |

|
|
|
|
|