OKC Uses Balanced Scoring To Top Sacramento

Kevin Durant led the charge, but OKC had plenty of contributors in a 103-92 victory.

Saturday, April 21st 2012, 12:34 am

By: News 9


Grant Belcher, News9.com

SACRAMENTO – Sometimes it's Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook doing all the scoring for the Thunder.

And other times, such as OKC's win over the Kings, it's a much more balanced effort.

Oklahoma City had a very balanced scoring attack in its 103-92 victory against the Kings on Friday.

Five Thunder players scored in double figures, including Kevin Durant with 29, James Harden with 20 and Russell Westbrook with 18.

Serge Ibaka added 12 points and Kendrick Perkins had 10 to round out the double figure scorers for OKC.

Durant's 29 points were part of an impressive stat line for him overall on the evening. He added 14 rebounds and seven assists to go with his 9-of-15 shooting night.

Ibaka continued his streak of impressive defense with eight blocks in the game, giving him a combined 18 blocks in the past two games at Sacramento.

The Thunder pushed out to a quick lead and stayed somewhat consistent throughout the game, leading by seven after one quarter and by eight at the half.

Though the Kings made a couple of miniature runs, Oklahoma City always had an answer thanks to 53 percent shooting from the field.

Meanwhile, Ibaka and the Thunder defense held Sacramento to 41 percent shooting on the other end.

Though the win is the fourth in the past five games for OKC, time is starting to become the enemy on catching up to the Spurs for the top overall seed in the Western Conference.

Oklahoma City has already wrapped up at least the No. 2 seed, but Friday's win keeps it a half game behind San Antonio for the top spot.

The tough part for the Thunder is that they have to not only catch the Spurs, but overtake them in the final few games of the season.

San Antonio holds the tiebreaker over the Thunder when it comes to playoff seedings thanks to the Spurs' season series win over OKC.

The Spurs (46-16) have a relatively easy slate of games left with matchups against Cleveland, Portland, Phoenix and Golden State.

Oklahoma City (46-17) has three games remaining, starting with a trip to meet the Los Angeles Lakers this Sunday in LA. Tipoff for the game is set for Sunday afternoon at 2:30 p.m.

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