Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sport
The Oklahoma City Thunder became the NBA’s first 30-win team after beating the Phoenix Suns 102-90 on Monday night. The Thunder were short-handed again, with Serge Ibaka out while he nurses a chest contusion, but that didn’t stop Kevin Durant from going off.
Durant had 14 points at halftime, while Russell Westbrook led the team with 16. It was all Durant in the second half though, as he recorded 27 second half points and finished the game with 41. Durant shot 15-30 from the field, 2-5 from 3-point land, and was a perfect 9-9 from the charity strike. Durant also chipped in 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks.
The play of the night came late in the 4th quarter, when Durant got rid of Michael Beasley and forcefully dunked on the Suns 7-foot center Marcin Gortat. Durant was also fouled on the play and made the free throw to give the Thunder a 97-81 lead with a little over 2 minutes to play.
Durant’s fantasy basketball owners should be happy with his performance tonight despite his lack of the other statistical categories. He did not turn the ball over and was efficient from the floor, so I think his owners can forgive him for the lack of rebounds or assists.
The Thunder now hold the league’s best record with 30 wins and 8 losses, and are one of only two teams that have less than 10 losses. The Los Angeles Clippers are right behind the Thunder with 9 losses.
Game Notes:
Boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. had a courtside seat.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was in attendance with former Suns owner Jerry Colangelo, now head of USA Basketball.
Oklahoma City has won five straight in Phoenix, tied with Miami for longest active streak at US Airways Center.
Michael J. Igyarto is a featured columnist and fantasy basketball expert at Rant Sports
Follow Michael on twitter: @windycityiggy
