Thunder Drop First Home Game With 112-102 Loss To Raptors

Demar DeRozan scored 37 points and had his way with the Thunder (6-2) the entire night as OKC dropped its first home game of the season with a 112-102 loss to the Toronto Raptors (5-2).

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Russell Westbrook scored 36 points to go with seven rebounds and seven assists in the loss, but OKC’s star point guard took too many questionable shots down the stretch that ultimately cost OKC.

It appeared the Thunder would roll early in the game, jumping out to a 12-0 lead then extending its lead to 23-10 later in the first frame, but Toronto came on strong in the second quarter.

The Raptors began the second with a 6-to-0 run and went on to knock down one 3-pointer after another to close the half as Toronto led 62-55 at intermission.  

While the Raptors continued to hit shots from outside in the third, OKC’s offense was spiraling out of control. The Thunder only managed to scrape together 20 points in the third frame as Toronto built up an 88-75 lead after three quarters.

Westbrook made his presence be known in the fourth as he checked back in the game and immediately found Victor Oladipo who knocked down a three, then found Enes Kanter on a give-and-go before attacking the basket and finishing a layup with his left hand to cap off a 9-to-1 OKC run.

With the Raptors on their heels, Westbrook remained in attack mode.

Whether he was finishing around the rim or finding an open teammate, Westbrook was able to bring the Thunder within 99-95 after Steven Adams knocked down a pair of free throws following a strong offensive rebound.

While he was busy playing the role of hero throughout most of the game, Westbrook suddenly became his very own worst enemy.

Trailing by four points with a chance to make it a one possession game, Westbrook sprinted towards the basket but lost control of the ball resulting in a turnover, which led to a Kyle Lowry layup on the other end. Then on two of the next three possessions Westbrook proceeded to throw up shots from well beyond the three-point line, which both missed and led to Raptors baskets.

In all, Toronto ripped off an 8-to-0 run after the Thunder got within four points, and that stretch from the Raptors was the final nail in the coffin.

Despite entering the game with the NBA’s worst 3-point percentage, the Raptors hit 42.3 percent (11-26) of their shots from beyond the arc while finishing with seven more assists and eight less turnovers than the Thunder.

Oladipo finished with 18 points and eight rebounds while Adams added 14 points and 12 boards. OKC’s bench was outscored 38-to-20.

The Thunder will be back in action at home on Friday when the Clippers come to town.