| |
|
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:
JC Chavez Jr to return in January 2026 By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 20 Nov 2025Houston Rockets Subdue Cleveland Cavaliers, 114-104, Gain Tie for 2nd in the West By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 20 Nov 2025OLYMPIC BOXING 1: 1904 OLYMPICS AT ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, UNITED STATES By Maloney L. Samaco, , Thu, 20 Nov 2025Pacquiao, Nine Other Pinoys in Latest Ring Ratings By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 20 Nov 2025QUOTES FROM MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS LOS ANGELES OPEN WORKOUT AT WILD CARD BOXING CLUB AND LAS VEGAS OPEN WORKOUT AHEAD OF NOV. 29 FIGHT NIGHT AT PECHANGA RESORT CASINO , Thu, 20 Nov 2025Super Featherweight Sluggers ‘Tsendy’ Erdenebat and Abraham Montoya Agree to Meet in Short-Notice Co-Featured Bout on Proboxtv’s Friday Night Fights , Thu, 20 Nov 2025Cartagenas, Yu top 4th DCHS Fun Run By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 20 Nov 2025THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 18 NOVEMBER 2025: Espinosa Defeats Khegai; Benn Gets Even With Eubank Jnr; Catterall Stops Essuman By Eric Armit, , Wed, 19 Nov 2025Paras to challenge Malajika for IBO World super flyweight title on Nov. 29 in South Africa By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 19 Nov 2025Lebron James is first player to play 23 seasons in NBA history By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 19 Nov 2025Team Tira Tira Sampaloc Tres is SJDM Woodpusher Society 3X3 Rapid Chess Tournament Champion By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 19 Nov 2025RUN IT BACK! GOLDEN BOY KICKS OFF 2026 FIGHT SCHEDULE WITH NIGHT OF HIGH STAKES REMATCHES , Wed, 19 Nov 2025Boxlab Promotions “Night of Champions XIII” Undercard Bouts Announced , Wed, 19 Nov 2025Porres-Narukami fight moved to Nov. 23 By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 19 Nov 2025Rematch for the ages By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 18 Nov 2025"Limping" Boston Showing Famed Celtics Pride By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Tue, 18 Nov 2025IIEE-Trocio Engineers defeated Splashers Lawyers in the BPBL Opening By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 18 Nov 2025ThunderDome 52 Card Preview , Tue, 18 Nov 2025Los Angeles Lakers may be under NBA gambling Investigation By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 18 Nov 2025PLAYER+ and BIBA Announce Official Partnership , Tue, 18 Nov 2025Roberto Racasa Claims 7 Medals at Asia Open International Memory Championships in Hyderabad, India By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 18 Nov 2025Bacnotan Pickleball Club Marks First Anniversary With Tournament By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 18 Nov 2025Connor Benn Targets Barrios' WBC Welter Belt After Defeating Chris Eubank Jnr By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 17 Nov 2025NBA Daily: Sans Wembanyama, Spurs Dominate Kings 123 – 110 By Reylan Loberternos, , Mon, 17 Nov 2025GM Joey Antonio finishes second in Spain chess tilt By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 17 Nov 2025 |

|
|
|
|
|