Oklahoma City Thunder 97, Orlando Magic 89; 2011-2012 Game 1 Quick Recap

Box Score

The Thunder began the 2011-2012 seasons with a win today over the Orlando Magic.

OKC put together an impressive defensive effort led by Kendrick Perkins, who held Dwight Howard to only 11 points. The Magic as a whole only shot 37%. After staying even for much of the first quarter, the Thunder broke up the game in the second quarter to take a 14 point lead at the half. It wasn’t until the closing seconds that the Magic were final able to bring the lead to single digits.

Kevin Durant led all scorers with 30 points. While James Harden, who led the run in the second quarter, was the second leading scorer for the Thunder with 19.

For Thunder fans, this win can only add to the excitement that has building up since last year. All the talk about how much Kendrick Perkins had improved finally showed tonight, holding the best center in the NBA to only 11 points, and 4/12 shooting.

OKC will be traveling to Milwaukee to face Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio tomorrow night.

Thunder Wonder: Kevin Durant, 30 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists

Thunder Down Under: Kendrick Perkins, 6 points, 4 rebounds

Thunder Blunder: Serge Ibaka, 0 points, 6 rebounds

Thunder Plunder: Ryan Anderson 25 points, 10 rebounds