Thunder survives Heat at home, win 146-143
GAME RECAP | GAME STORY | TEAM STATSPlayer of the Game: Kevin Durant (34 PTS, 13 REB, 9 AST, 1 STL and BLK)
Thunder Down Under Kevin Martin (29 PTS, 2 REB, 1 AST and STL)
Thunder Protector: Russell Westbrook (18 PTS, 4 REB, 9 AST and 4 STL)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - It seems the fans were in for a treat as the Thunder hosted the Heat just before the All-Star Game. But this game was much more thrilling than the latter. The Heat gained and early advantage on the boards and in points, resulting in a four-point lead after the first quarter. But that reversed as soon as the bench, including the 3-time scoring champion Durantula started the second quarter with a 13-4 run that sparked even the bench to raise their intensity.
The Heat were soundly beaten. Every player on the Heat were simply negated by the Thunder's defense. Despite trailing the first half, Wade and James were the light for the Heat, who had 48 and 35 respectively. But the balanced offense and defense of the Oklahoma City Thunder were too much, and restricted the other Heat players below 15 points. Wade and James were carrying them all throughout the night.
Came in the second half, where the Thunder collapsed at the third, and the Heat made a 20-8 run that saw the Thunder's lead diminish minute by minute. But Russell Westbrook couldn't back down from the challenge. He immediately put up 8 straight points, giving the Thunder a 9-point lead at the end of the third quarter. The game wasn't done yet though.
In the fourth, everything the Heat shot was on the line, as they outscored the Thunder 43-37. It seems the Thunder reverted back to their Finals form, where the Heat were shooting the lights out of them. Durant started the fourth cold, going for 0-for-4. James then did his damage by scoring 6, plus Wade's relentless dunks to the basket. They could pull out the "W".
5 minutes into the quarter, the Heat already led the game. There was no chance for a comeback it seems. But the Thunder has had enough. Coach Scott Brooks immediately sent in his best players and saw daylight, as the Thunder had it going. After an 10-0 run, the Thunder were back in the ball game. Score tied at 143. 5 seconds left. This is where everything counts. Scott Brooks called for a timeout and the Thunder ran the play they had used to beat the Dallas Mavericks a year ago during the early season.
Durant, catches the ball, LeBron, the King, guarding him. Durant goes for the catch-and-shoot, AND FIRES THE THREE-POINTER!!! DAGGER! WITH 0.7 SECONDS LEFT! THUNDER WINS! THUNDER WINS!
After the game, the media stormed out the players as soon as the Thunder extinguished the Heat by Durant's game-winning dagger. "Please explain the whole play!" said by the reporter. "I did what my instincts told me to." replied Kevin Durant. "What a great shot." said Perry Jones, who didn't play. "That's natural to him. He can make that all day long." stated Russell Westbrook, who finished the game with 18 points on 8-of-19, 4 rebounds, 9 assists and 4 steals.
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