| |
|
Durant drops 48 as Thunder escape Wolves
By Homer D. Sayson
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 06 Jan 2014
CHICAGO -- Unhappy with his team's two-game slide, Kevin Durant did what he does best -- score in bunches.
KD, a 4-time All-Star and 3-time scoring champion, made 16 of 32 field goals for 48 points and the Thunder edged the Minnesota Timberwolves, 115-111, Saturday night at the Target Center in Minneapolis.
The 6-foot-11 Durant made an amazing array of shots but none more impressive than the step-back jumper he drilled in the final four seconds that broke a 111-111 tie. Wolves All-Star Kevin Love missed three free throws in the ensuing possession and Durant sealed the win with two free throws.
"He (Durant) is a great player. He makes shots from a lot of different angles. He puts a lot of pressure on you. When he gets going like that, he's pulling up from 30-35 feet and knocking them down," Timberwolves head coach Rick Adelman told NBA.com.
Although Durant played like a one-man army, he did get plenty of reinforcement.
Derek Fisher came off the bench with 13 points while Serge Ibaka stepped in with 12. Reggie Jackson started at point for the injured Russell Westbrook and turned in 10 and four assists while back-up center Steven Adams added 10 more plus nine rebounds.
It was the Thunder's first win in their last three starts and they improved to 25-7.
Nikola Pekovic finished with 31 and 11 boards and Love accounted for 30 and 14 rebounds for the Wolves, huge efforts that obviously couldn't overcome Durant's explosion. The Wolves, who dropped to 16-17, also got 13 points from Corey Brewer. (Homer D. Sayson)
Photo: Thunder forwards Kevin Durant and Serge Ibaka swarm over Wolves Center Nikola Pekovic at the Target Center.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Homer D. Sayson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS TADURAN VS. PEREZ WEIGH-IN RESULTS
, Fri, 03 Apr 2026PLANET ICE FIGHT NIGHT: WEIGH-IN RESULTS AS BROWN AND DUCAR FACE-OFF FOR FINAL TIME
, Fri, 03 Apr 2026Battle of the Trades Returns for Its 3rd Year April 25 at Torrey Pines Community Resource Center in Las Vegas
, Fri, 03 Apr 2026Bobby Laing vs. Russ Kimber in intriguing Intra-state match-up between Massachusetts Light Heavyweights on ‘Rumble at the Rink II’
, Fri, 03 Apr 2026PH chess wizard Jacobb Seda ties for 1st, settles for silver on tiebreaks in Thailand meet
By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 03 Apr 2026Rene “Chulo” Santiago, Masataka Taniguchi Officially Make Weight for Friday’s Unified World Title Clash in Tokyo
, Thu, 02 Apr 2026Marlon Tapales and Yukinori Oguni Make Weight in Clash of Former World Champions
, Thu, 02 Apr 2026Taduran in high spirits ahead of title defense in California
By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 02 Apr 2026Waiting to beat Floyd
By Joaquin Henson, , Thu, 02 Apr 202620th Philippine Xiangqi Open tournament on May 1
By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 02 Apr 2026Can Tapales Overpower Oguni to Increase his Chances of Another World Title Fight?
By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 02 Apr 2026BROWN-DUCAR PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES IN FULL: EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID AHEAD OF FRIDAY'S ALTRINCHAM FIGHT NIGHT
, Thu, 02 Apr 2026Wise Owl Boxing Makes Headlines Again with Signing of Former World Champion Julio Cesar “El Rey” Martinez
, Thu, 02 Apr 2026Santiago-Taniguchi Final Presser
, Wed, 01 Apr 2026Jimuel in Action on Friday!
By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 01 Apr 2026“Rumble in the Une” Makes History in Union City with Star-Studded Fight Card Headlined by Jacob Macalolooy
, Wed, 01 Apr 2026Is Floyd chickening out?
By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 01 Apr 2026Bacaro to challenge Toyoshima on April 4
By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 01 Apr 2026IBA steps forward as potential organiser for Bivol vs Beterbiev trilogy bout
, Wed, 01 Apr 2026PBF president Almario dies
By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 01 Apr 2026Portland Trail Blazers have new owner after $4.25 billion sale
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 01 Apr 2026PH chess wizard seven-year old Noah Lucas Palcis finishes second in Bangkok chess
By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 01 Apr 20262 Time World Champion Marcos Maidana Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
, Wed, 01 Apr 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 30 MARCH 2026: Itauma Destroys Franklin in 5; Fundora Dismantles Thurman in 6
By Eric Armit, , Tue, 31 Mar 2026Panamanian WBC Judge Jesus Aleman murdered in Panama
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 31 Mar 2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
