Thunder vs. Kings: Oklahoma City hangs on to beat Sacramento, 101-93

Box Score | Sactown Royalty

With a well-balanced attack, including five players in double-figures, the Oklahoma City Thunder snapped their three-game losing streak, knocking off the previously 5-1 Sacramento Kings, 101-93. on their home floor Sunday night.

It feels good to see the Thunder back in the win column. It was a game where a lot of people stepped up throughout the game in key times, something that was rarely happening in previous games.

Kendrick Perkins scored around the rim in the first half and played excellent defense on DeMarcus Cousins, who finished with just 16 points and 7 rebounds on 7-15 shooting. When the Thunder were struggling to get it going in the third quarter, newly-acquired point guard Ish Smith came in and scored seven points in seven minutes and got the Thunder back on track. Nick Collison nailed two big 3-pointers in the fourth quarter. Everyone played a role in the win.

What was, overall, the main reason why the Thunder won/lost?

While the Thunder did not play great, they made the plays when they needed to. With the Thunder up by five and less than a minute to go, Cousins caught the ball on the right block, got by Steven Adams and looked like he had what should be a an easy reverse layup to make it a one possession game, but Serge Ibaka came flying across the lane to reject the shot. Jeremy Lamb was then fouled by Cousins and knocked down two foul shots to extend the lead to seven. This was just one play among many others that stood out in the win.

The Thunder also responded with only one turnover in the fourth quarter after eight in a brutal third quarter.

Lastly, after going 3-of-11 from the foul line against the Grizzles Friday, they went 23-of-27 from the line tonight.

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Atmonavage's Awards

Thunder Wonder: Reggie Jackson, 22 points, 6 assists, 9-of-10 from foul line

Thunder Down Under: Nick Collison, A dunk, two 3-pointers and a charge, all in one game. Boom.

Thunder Blunder: Ish Smith getting in the way of Rudy Gay R.I.P.

Thunder Plunderer: Rudy Gay 23 points, 10 rebounds and making Ish Smith Vine famous

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Next game: @ Milwaukee Bucks Tuesday 11/11 @ 7:00 PM CDT