Durant, Westbrook lead Thunder to Game 2 win over Clippers
It sure didn't feel like the game was as close as the final score suggests.
Kevin Durant's MVP award presentation set the tone for an energetic night at Chesapeake Energy Arena as the Oklahoma City Thunder leveled their second-round series against the Los Angeles Clippers at 1-1 with a 112-101 win.
Although his final assist of the game was questionable, Russell Westbrook posted his third triple-double of the postseason, finishing a stat line of 31 points on 13-of-22 shooting, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, and three steals.
Had Durant grabbed one more assist in the contest, it would have been the first time ever that a pair of teammates each posted triple-doubles in a playoff game.
Star Performer
Durant. Westbrook. Take your pick.
After being presented with the Maurice Podoloff Trophy by commissioner Adam Silver before trip-off, Durant exploded for 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting in the first quarter.
By the time that the final buzzer sounded, the MVP had 32 points on 10-of-22 shooting, 12 rebounds, nine assists, and two steals.
Westbrook, meanwhile, joined an exclusive club with his latest triple-double.
Russell Westbrook: 5th player in last 25 seasons with at least 3 triple-doubles in a single postseason (Rondo x 2, Kidd, LeBron, Magic)
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 8, 2014
Also, this:
Triple doubles this postseason-
Russell Westbrook 3
Rest of NBA 0
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 8, 2014
Turning Point
Led by a hyperactive Westbrook, the Thunder outscored the Clippers 33-21 in the third quarter to take a 17-point lead entering the final frame.
Westbrook posted six points, three rebounds, three drawn fouls, two assists, and two steals in that time, and the Clippers could do nothing but look on.
Highlight Reel
No better place to start than with Durant's MVP award presentation.
Once the game got going, Durant made Matt Barnes look like a pylon.
[Courtesy: SB Nation]
In the second quarter, Durant may have gone down too easily after DeAndre Jordan set a hard pick.
The final seconds of the first half saw a little bit of irony as the lights dimmed at Chesapeake Energy Arena.
But the lights were up and running in time for the second half, when Russell Westbrook showed Chris Paul how little he thought of his performance in Game 1.
Quote of the Game
The jokes were flying left and right when the lights malfunctioned for the final 27.2 seconds of the first half.
So in an arena named for an energy company ...
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) May 8, 2014
I bet Seattle has electricity. Just sayin'.
— Bruce Arthur (@bruce_arthur) May 8, 2014
"Ha, it's funny, because I just banished an owner and they think I won't fire an electrician." pic.twitter.com/M6ZbZWtRWl
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) May 8, 2014
Series at a Glance
Game 1: LAC 122 OKC 105 (Clippers lead series 1-0)
Game 2: OKC 112 LAC 101 (Series tied 1-1)
Game 3: Friday, May 9 - 10:30 p.m. ET
Game 4: Sunday, May 11 - 3:30 p.m. ET
Game 5: Tuesday, May 13 - TBD
Game 6*: Thursday, May 15 - TBD
Game 7*: Sunday, May 18 - TBD