| |
|
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:
Takuma Inoue World Champion Again; Beats Nasukawa for Vacant WBC Belt By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 26 Nov 2025OLYMPIC BOXING 3: 1920 OLYMPIC GAMES AT ANTWERP, BELGIUM By Maloney L. Samaco, , Wed, 26 Nov 2025Badenas TKO’s Saknosiwi in 10th round By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 26 Nov 2025Las Vegas & California Amateurs Shine in a Powerful Fall Rumble Weekend Followed by a Heartfelt Turkey Drive for Local Families , Wed, 26 Nov 2025Santa Run Davao on December 14 at NCCC Mall Victoria Plaza By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 26 Nov 2025Alec “The Rock” Del Rio Fights for WBC Asia Title Friday in Thailand By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 25 Nov 2025Eumir, Weljohn put pros on hold By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 25 Nov 2025Toronto Topples Cleveland, 110-99 for 8th Straight Win; Holds on to 2nd in the East By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Tue, 25 Nov 2025PPP Seniors & PWD Fun Run 2025 on Dec. 13 in Talomo By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 25 Nov 2025MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS ANNOUNCES A FULL SELLOUT AND BROADCAST DETAILS AHEAD OF U.S. DEBUT EVENT THIS SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29, AT PECHANGA RESORT CASINO IN TEMECULA, CALIF. , Tue, 25 Nov 2025Tomorrow Night's CB Promotions Card at The Cure Insurance Arena in Trenton is Postponed , Tue, 25 Nov 2025PHL bids to host WB Congress By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 25 Nov 2025Joel "Lethal" Lewis talks boxing evolution and upcoming Thunderdome 52 fight this Friday in Perth , Tue, 25 Nov 2025Granite Chin Promotions signs Milton pro boxer Jenn Perella , Tue, 25 Nov 2025Mabuhay at Salamat: ‘The Thirty’ Filipino Boxers Who Became Giants By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Mon, 24 Nov 2025World-ranked Lightweight Dynamo Justin Pauldo Collides with Hard-punching Nike Theran , Mon, 24 Nov 2025Fastest Pinay in IronMan 70.3 World comes from Lanao del Norte By Kim delos Reyes-Teves, , Mon, 24 Nov 2025Two-time middleweight world champion Gennadiy Golovkin confirmed as new President of World Boxing at Congress 2025 in Rome , Mon, 24 Nov 2025Panama City will host the World Boxing Ordinary Congress in 2026 By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 24 Nov 2025Tadlas, Busayong rule 42K in 3rd SDSPPO Run for a Cause By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 24 Nov 2025"The Mexican Monster" Terrorizes the 175: Benavidez Demolishes Yarde to Win WBC Light Heavyweight Title By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 23 Nov 2025Harden scores 55 points for a new LA Clippers record By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 23 Nov 2025Devin Haney Dominates Brian Norman Jr. to Claim WBO Welterweight Title By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 23 Nov 2025"Bam" Rodriguez Stops "Puma" Martínez in 10 By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 23 Nov 2025Abdullah Mason Edges Sam Noakes in War, Becomes Youngest Current World Champion By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 23 Nov 2025 |

|
|
|
|
|