Thunder vs Magic summer league final score: Burton hits game winner to deliver 87-85 win for OKC

The Oklahoma City Thunder continued summer league play on Friday night, facing off with the Orlando Magic. OKC took home an 87-85 victory after Deonte Burton’s floater as time expired. Burton led five Thunder players in double-digits with 17 points. The Thunder also got 48 points from the bench.

The game was knotted at 85 with 22 seconds remaining, the Thunder put the ball in the hands of Burton. He had already showed a variety of ways to score the ball, stepping out hitting the three, and blowing by bigger defenders for rim-rattling slams.

Burton received the inbounds and dribbled to the left side of the floor. The time was winding down, there was no player movement, it became apparent that Burton would make the game deciding play. He dribbled the clock down into single digits, then Michael Cobbins ran out to set a ball screen. Burton used the screen, took advantage of the switch, drove into the paint, and put up a lefty floater that swished through the net.

After struggling against the Memphis Grizzlies defense, the Thunder responded with stifling defense of their own. They used their length on the perimeter to contest shots and prevent driving lanes. OKC still played without Dakari Johnson’s inside presence, however, they found a way to use their speed and athleticism to their advantage.

OKC led by as many as 16, but the Magic turned it up in the second half. The Magic outscored the Thunder 24-20 in the third quarter, and eventually tied the game late in the 4th quarter. They were able to get the ball in the paint for easy layups and that opened up the perimeter for treys. Finally, Burton took control down the stretch, scored nine points, including the buzzer-beater.

The Thunder shot 49% from the field and 42% from three (8-of-19). They connected on 15 out of 22 from the free throw line and forced 18 total turnovers. OKC held the Magic to just 38% shooting from the field and 38% from the three.

Burton showed off his stat-stuffing capabilites, finishing with 17 points, eight rebounds, five assists, three steals, and a block. Devon Hall scored 13 points off the bench and Diallo scored 12. Terrance Ferguson led the starters with 14 points and Rashawn Thomas chipped in 11.

Rodney Purvis led the Magic with 20 points off the bench. Caupain scored 17 points on 6-of-15 shooting. Boykins chipped in 13 points and 4 rebounds.