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Box Score | Posting and Toasting
Kevin Durant looked better than ever against the New York Knicks, scoring 41 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists in a 112-100 win for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
What is your initial reaction to tonight's result?
The Thunder were coming off a heartbreaker of a game against the slipping Orlando Magic and Saturday, they did not disappoint on Sunday afternoon.
Kevin Durant just seems to be unstoppable. Today marked the 33rd time Durant has scored 20 points or more a game, which happens to be the most in the NBA. Stephen Curry is 2nd with 31 and LeBron James is third with 30.
It also was a marquee showdown as Durant, who is the league's leading scorer, went up against the league's second-place scorer, Carmelo Anthony.
Reggie Jackson looked great again, finishing with 19 points and six assists. Serge Ibaka played well, scoring 16 points and nine rebounds.
What was, overall, the main reason why the Thunder won?
The main reason the Thunder won was because they executed behind the arc, scoring 12 3-pointers in 27 attempts (44.4%) and shot 55 percent overall. In the first half, they were shooting 66 percent overall.
The closest the Knicks got in the 2nd halfwas 6 points, but the Thunder knew what needed to be done and with a beautiful 3-point shot by Durant, OKC was able to pull away.
What was a key statistic to understanding the game?
Yes, Durant missed a triple-double (barely), but when he can go out and score 40 points, you know OKC won't let Durant's gifts spoil.
Another great statistic that helped seal the win was the fact that OKC was 14-of-16 inside the paint in the first half. Shooting 88 percent inside the paint like they did Sunday was their best in the half this season. Oh, and if you're wondering who missed two shots, it was none other than Kevin Durant.
What does this game mean to the Thunder tonight and going forward?
Going forward, the Thunder have a lot to be excited about. They have the All-Star game to look forward to, they are supposedly getting Russell Westbrook back and they are, by far, the best team in the NBA. What isn't there to be excited about?
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Sarah's Awards
Thunder Wonder: Kevin Durant scoring 40 points was definitely the highlight of the game, since the Knicks, who have now lost four of five, are dreadful to watch.
Thunder Down Under: Kendrick Perkins played 24 minutes and scored 5 points.
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Next game: @ Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday, Feb. 11 at 9:30PM CST
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