| |
|
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:
Tyson Fury gets a unanimous decision victory after 12 rounds against Arslanbek Makhmudov in England , Sun, 12 Apr 2026'The Take Over' Renden Oppas Scores Win in Australia By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 12 Apr 2026CK Ingles: A Chess Player, Chess Team Manager - CHESS KINGS, Chess Tournament and Event Organizer By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 12 Apr 2026Hebert Conceicao Sousa Wins Perilous Unanimous Decision over Johan Gonzalez in Main Event of ProBoxTV from Prudential Center in Brick City , Sat, 11 Apr 2026ARGENTINE KO KING CHAVES FACES MADUENO IN LAS VEGAS , Sat, 11 Apr 2026Team USA Clinches Eight Medals At 2026 Gee Bee Boxing Tournament , Sat, 11 Apr 2026Weights From ‘Mielnicki vs. Huerta’ Event from Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City and Broadcast live on ProBoxTV , Sat, 11 Apr 2026Boquiren to face Olmillo in RFL on April 18 By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 11 Apr 2026USA Opens Strong at 2026 Gee Bee Tournament In Helsinki , Sat, 11 Apr 2026Filipino chess prodigy Nika Juris Nicolas eyes Woman International Master title By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 11 Apr 2026Blazen Rocili "The Filipino Giant" Dominates in Statement Victory at "Rumble in the UNE," Improves to 10-0 , Fri, 10 Apr 2026Oppas to face Lu on April 11 in Australia By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 10 Apr 2026Ilar, Infiesto to play in Guevarra Chess Cup By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 10 Apr 2026Pabular to face Kitano on April 13 at Korakuen Hall By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 10 Apr 2026Five reasons why IBA NOMAD 14 in Almaty is worth watching , Fri, 10 Apr 2026Antonio bounces back in Sydney International Open Chess Championship By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 10 Apr 2026Wise Owl Boxing Signs Rising Los Angeles Prospect Jahvad McDermott , Fri, 10 Apr 2026Staying active is Magsayo’s priority By Joaquin Henson, , Thu, 09 Apr 2026Abu Bakar ready to rumble against Singh on April 11 By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 09 Apr 2026Atty. Aldwin Alegre is set to compete in the 23rd Bangkok Chess Club Open 2026 to be held at the Luxurious Sheraton Hua Hin Resort and Spa, Thailand from April 11-19, 2026. By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 09 Apr 2026WEIGH IN RESULTS IGLESIAS VS SILYAGIN - TOMORROW NIGHT IN MONTREAL! , Thu, 09 Apr 2026Kristian Prenga Headlines “Crossroads in Brick City” on June 6 in Newark , Thu, 09 Apr 2026Macala, Silva, Lopez to play in 14th Atty. Jong Guevarra Cup By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 09 Apr 2026Former World Champion Miguel Berchelt Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas , Thu, 09 Apr 2026Sem Japet Enano Stuns Hometown Favorite Tyrell Adams to Claim IBO Oceania Featherweight Title , Thu, 09 Apr 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|