The Thunder looked like they had already departed for New Orleans on Thursday night, playing with lackluster defense against an injury-riddled Los Angeles Lakers. Well, that is until Chris Kaman tried to dunk on them:
2014 NBA scores: Thunder escape Lakers, Bulls rout Nets
Oklahoma City stayed dormant until a fourth quarter run by Kevin Durant allowed the Thunder to sneak by the Los Angeles Lakers.
Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Things picked up in the last six minutes of the fourth quarter, with the Thunder taking the lead on a Kevin Durant layup after they struggled to find any offense in the first half.
The teams battled back-and-forth in the waning moments of the final quarter. Los Angeles tried but couldn’t find the gas in the last 90 second to get over the edge as Durant added to his MVP-worthy resume by finishing the game with eye-popping 19-point fourth quarter to seal the 107-103 victory for Oklahoma City.
Durant finished with an impressive 43 points on 14-of-33 shooting, including 12-for-12 from the free throw line, while adding seven assists and three steals. Chris Kaman was the standout for Los Angeles, totaling 19 points on 7-of-13 shooting with 10 rebounds and six assists. Kendall Marshall added 14 points and a game-high 17 assists.
Chicago Bulls 92, Brooklyn Nets 76
The Chicago Bulls moved the ball incredibly well and out-rebounded the Brooklyn on their way to thumping the aging Nets on Thursday night. Carlos Boozer returned from three missed games with injury, and added 15 points on 7-of -13 shooting including 10 rebounds.
There was a tenuous moment in the third quarter when Joe Johnson and Jimmy Butler were both called for technical fouls. Johnson had been called for a offensive foul which Butler took exception to, and the two exchanged words. The situation worsened when Johnson stuck out his hand and poked Butler in the face, which set the Chicago wing off as both had to be restrained by teammates.
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