Thunder Cruise Past League-Worst Bobcats

Oklahoma City left no doubt in the game with a bounce-back victory against Charlotte on Saturday.

Saturday, March 10th 2012, 10:17 pm

By: News 9


Grant Belcher, News9.com

OKLAHOMA CITY – After all of the slow starts and shaky play lately for the Thunder, it was about time for them to dominate a game right from the start.

Oklahoma City did just what it was supposed to do, leaving no doubt against the league-worst Bobcats in a 122-95 victory at home on Saturday.

OKC had seen a recent trend of having to fight its way back in the fourth quarter for a win, but that certainly shouldn't be – and wasn't – the case against Charlotte.

The Bobcats are last in the league in scoring, 27th in defense and 28th in rebounding.

And Oklahoma City helped prove that point, shooting an incredible 63 percent in the game while holding Charlotte to 41 percent.

The Thunder didn't hit their peak until the second quarter, but when they did it wasn't pretty for the Bobcats.

After leading by just three following the first quarter, OKC outscored the Bobcats 30-15 in the second quarter to bust the game open.

Oklahoma City's "big three" certainly lived up to their billing in the first half. Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden combined for 55 of the Thunder's 58 first half points, shooting a combined 21 of 28.

None of the three played as much in the second half as they did in the first, but by that time OKC was on cruise control.

Harden led all scorers in the game with 33, setting a new career high for the second time in the span of a week. Durant supported him with 26 and Westbrook had 23.

The trio finished a combined 69 percent from the field (29-of-42).

OKC pushed its record on its home court to 18-2 this season and also stretched its lead over the second-place Spurs in the Western Conference to five games.

The Thunder will get a rare two-day break on Sunday and Monday at home before hosting the Houston Rockets on Tuesday at 7 p.m.

 

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