| |
|
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:
Barrios vs Garcia: Where Art Thou Ryan Garcia? By Chris Carlson, , Fri, 20 Feb 2026Pacman bout details revealed By Joaquin Henson, , Fri, 20 Feb 2026IIEE to defend Billiard crown in PTC World 2026, World Champ Magpantay is PSA Awardee By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 20 Feb 2026Wood-Warrington II Press Conference Quotes: Everything that Was Said Ahead of Saturday's Sold-Out Rematch in Nottingham , Fri, 20 Feb 2026Manny Pacquiao Promotions Announces Opponents for Rising Stars Jimuel Pacquiao Jr. and Curmel Moton on Feb. 28 at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York , Fri, 20 Feb 2026Rising Star Promotions Returns to Prudential Center April 10 LIVE ON PROBOX TV , Fri, 20 Feb 2026Sante Barley Trilogy Leg 1 on March 29 in Azuela By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 20 Feb 2026Team Rapid chess tourney goes to Pasay City on March 8 By Marlon Bernardino By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 20 Feb 20263rd Horse Show & competition scheduled on February 21-22 By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 19 Feb 2026Robinsons Bacolod Chess Festival set By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 19 Feb 2026TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Alex Bray Set for WBA Continental Latin American Title Clash February 20 in Orlando , Thu, 19 Feb 2026Ryan ‘The Bruiser’ Rozicki Calls out Jai Opetaia , Thu, 19 Feb 2026BREAKING NEWS: DAZN AND MATCHROOM BOXING SIGN NEW FIVE-YEAR DEAL , Thu, 19 Feb 202675 climbers start trekking to Mt. Apo today , Thu, 19 Feb 20264 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Erik Morales Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas , Thu, 19 Feb 2026TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Dainier Pero Locked In Ahead of WBA Continental USA Title Defense in Orlando , Wed, 18 Feb 2026A Milestone Birthday: Celebrating Brico Santig's 50 Years of Dedication, and Triumph By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 18 Feb 2026PH bet Chezka Centeno finishes 2nd in Florida By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 18 Feb 2026ARNOLD BARBOZA JR. AND KENNETH SIMS JR. SET FOR HIGH-STAKES CLASH IN CAN’T-MISS MAIN EVENT ON DAZN , Wed, 18 Feb 2026CALLUM SMITH VS DAVID MORRELL MEGA FIGHT SET FOR APRIL 18 IN LIVERPOOL AS PAT BROWN HEADLINES IN HIS HOMETOWN ON APRIL 3 , Wed, 18 Feb 20262026 USA Boxing Youth High Performance Selection Camp Attendees Announced , Wed, 18 Feb 2026Rapid chessfest gets underway February 22 By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 18 Feb 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 16 FEBRUARY 2026: Ajagba, Dzambekov, Ruiz Register Stoppage Wins in Zuffa Event By Eric Armit, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026Mexican government and WBC join forces to create mega-project “Boxing for Peace” By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026All eyes on GM Johan-Sebastian Christiansen in Manny Pacquiao International Open dubbed as 87th Kalilangan Chess Festival 2026 By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|