| |
|
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:
IBA and WBA successfully deliver first joint professional training course for referees and judges , Wed, 13 May 2026GAB to give managers, matchmakers and trainers 3 years license By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 13 May 2026ROBIN “ROBZ” SAFAR TO FACE ARGENTINA’S HIGHLY RATED YAMIL PERALTA FOR WBC SILVER CRUISERWEIGHT TITLE , Wed, 13 May 2026Influencer/boxer Brooklyn Barwick anxious to Bounce back from first loss this Saturday in South Carolina , Wed, 13 May 2026Mama ready to facer Ayala in Mexico By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 13 May 2026Demecillo to fight undefeated Martin on May 16 By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 13 May 2026‘Rumble at the Rink II’ card to feature Pro Boxing & Sports Entertainment Experience this Saturday in Quincy (MA) , Wed, 13 May 2026Oberio, Bernardino, Talaboc power QC past Isabela in PCAP chess tilt By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 13 May 2026WBC president Mauricio Sulaimán on Barcelona-Real Madrid La Liga finals By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 12 May 2026Canadian Cruiserweight Contender Ryan Rozicki Fires Warning Shot at Chris Billam-Smith Ahead of Zuffa Boxing 07 showdown on June 6 , Tue, 12 May 2026Judgement Day coming this Friday In Germany for Paddy Donovan , Tue, 12 May 2026Six Rounds to Silence the Magic Man: Why Rolando Dy is Malignaggi’s Worst Nightmare By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Mon, 11 May 2026The Eternal Contender: Inside Nonito Donaire’s Record-Breaking Title Run By Dong Secuya, , Mon, 11 May 2026Boxing trio reunited up there By Joaquin Henson, , Mon, 11 May 20261st CK Ingles Chess Kings Set to Kick Off By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 11 May 2026Zhu Outguns "The Assassin" Ian Abne in Cebu Thriller, Earns Shot at IBF Champ Taduran By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 10 May 2026Arañas Survives Harsh Knockdown, Stops Noynay to Claim WBF Strap in Cebu (Fist of Fury X Results) By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 10 May 2026Mindoro faces strong Mexican opponent By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 10 May 2026Blood, Grit, and Iron: Zhu Outlasts Abne in a Cebu War By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 10 May 2026Tickets ON SALE NOW for Abdullah Mason-Joe Cordina at Cleveland State University’s Wolstein Center , Sat, 09 May 2026IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia bags gold in ASEAN E-Sports chess qualifying round By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 09 May 2026Wardley vs Dubois: Heavyweight Tussle in Manchester By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 09 May 2026Fireworks Expected as Cebu's Arañas and Noynay Rumble for WBF Silver Belt By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 09 May 2026Keyshawn Davis: "Nahir Albright’s Going To Be the Fourth Guy I Stop in a Row!" , Sat, 09 May 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: Cinco De Mayo, A Historic Celebration Of Boxing By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Fri, 08 May 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|