OKC - 2011/12 - Thunder Three-peat

[Phil89]

I probably could have got him to score over 60, but I figured it would be better to get my other guys going in case he started missing.
Turns out I couldn't get them going and it was too late for Durant to save the day.

It was one of those games where you think you can overturn the lead, but you just can't get any defensive stops and you run out of time.

[Phil89]

6/4/10

Oklahoma City Thunder [55-14] vs Orlando Magic [36-33]

Thunder fall just short against Magic after thrilling comeback



In their 9th home game in a row, the Thunder take on the Orlando Magic. Their last road game was in Orlando where they won 105-95.
The first quarter was tight with both teams showing each other respect. The Magic held a slim 2 point lead at the first break, 23-21.
More of the same in the second quarter. Orlando were keeping the Thunder from their normal running game. Magic lead 47-41 at the half.
The third quarter was probably the most defensive all season for both teams. The Magic managed to increase their lead to 8 with one to play, 65-57.
The Thunder mounted a spirited comeback in the fourth. Spurred on by an enthusiastic home crowd, they cut the Magic's lead down.
With 3:30 left in the game the score was tied at 75-75. The Thunder had the momentum and crowd behind them. Another close finish was on the cards.
The lead changed several times in the last 3 minutes. The scores were tied at 79-79 with less than a minute to go. The Magic had possession.
With 36 seconds left, Jason Williams sunk a long three to give them an 82-79 lead. The Thunder looked for a three to tie but Durant missed his attempts.
Orlando held on to win in a thriller. Durant recorded his 38th straight game of 25 or more points with another great game. He finished with 36 points.

Player of the Game: Kevin Durant

OKC - 21 20 16 22 79
ORL - 23 24 18 17 82

Top Scorers
Kevin Durant - 36
Rudy Gay - 20
Jameer Nelson - 19
Mickael Pietrus - 18
Vince Carter - 15

Assists
Jameer Nelson - 5
Ben Wallace - 5
Jeff Green - 5

Rebounds
Dwight Howard - 16
Marcin Gortat - 9
Brandon Bass - 9
Ben Wallace - 8

Video Highlights
Kevin Durant does it all himself. Gets the rebound then knocks down the three.

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Magic can't get the ball in the basket.

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Jason Williams with the game winner.

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[Andrew]

Tough break, that would've been an exciting win but at least it was more competitive than the last game. Two games away from tying MJ's streak.

[Phil89]

7/4/10

Oklahoma City Thunder [55-15] vs Denver Nuggets [35-37]

Thunder win first game against Nuggets this season



The Denver Nuggets came to town to take on Oklahoma City having won both previous meetings between the teams this season.
The Thunder were looking to bounce back after 2 straight losses and started brilliantly. They lead by 15 at the first break, 32-17.
The Nuggets pegged them back a little bit in the second quarter. But the Thunder still lead by 9 at the half, 48-39.
Oklahoma City went on a 12-0 run to start the third quarter. The Nuggets were scoreless for the first 4 minutes of the quarter.
They eventually got going, but the damage had already been done. The Thunder were leading by 21 at the final break, 74-53.
The fourth quarter was a lot more open and free flowing as Denver looked to get back into the game. They did cut the lead a bit.
But it wasn't enough. Oklahoma City went on to win by 13, 99-86. Kevin Durant hit a three pointer in the dying seconds to seal the win.
He had another great game, finishing with 32 points and 11 rebounds. His 39th straight game of scoring 25 or more points.
With the Thunder's next game at home against Minnesota, he has a good chance of equally Michael Jordan's 40 game streak.

Player of the Game: Jeff Green

OKC - 32 16 26 25 99
DEN - 17 22 14 33 86

Top Scorers
Kevin Durant - 32
Chauncey Billups - 25
Rudy Gay - 20
Carmelo Anthony - 18
JR Smith - 18

Assists
Russell Westbrook - 8
Chauncey Billups - 6

Rebounds
Nene - 12
JR Smith - 11
Chris Andersen - 10
BJ Mullens - 8
Ben Wallace - 7
Jeff Green - 7

Video Highlights
Russell Westbrook taking the contact, getting the basket and the foul.

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Kevin Durant with a three over Melo to seal the win.

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[Phil89]

Tough break, that would've been an exciting win but at least it was more competitive than the last game. Two games away from tying MJ's streak.

Both those games were frustrating. The referees are so biased in calling fouls against my players but not the AI defenders
It's getting to the point where I wonder if I should just let them run straight to the basket unchallenged to avoid my players getting fouled out.

Getting back on track now though. Finally beat Denver after 3 tries. Bogey team no more

[Andrew]

Both those games were frustrating. The referees are so biased in calling fouls against my players but not the AI defenders
It's getting to the point where I wonder if I should just let them run straight to the basket unchallenged to avoid my players getting fouled out.

I know the feeling, I really hope they balance that out in NBA Live 11. Previous games were kind of biased towards the CPU but in trying to fix that they've ultimately just reversed the bias rather than simply evening it out. That's why I wanted to word that suggestion carefully in this year's Wishlist.

There's actually a bug in NBA Live 10 that allows players to be subbed back in after they've picked up their sixth foul. Something you might want to consider exploiting if the CPU is being a bit unfair. For the sake of the story, you could always say that a mistake was made and the foul was assessed to the wrong player...or just ignore it. Up to you of course, but when the CPU plays dirty I think we can be excused for taking advantage of the odd exploit in our favour.

[megarover]

One more game left till you tie the streak

[kibaxx7]

Great win and congrats on the 2k views

[Phil89]

9/4/10

Oklahoma City Thunder [56-15] vs Minnesota Timberwolves [23-49]

Thunder get revenge against Timberwolves



Oklahoma City were looking for revenge against the Timberwolves after they were controversially beaten last month on the road in Minnesota.
This time the game between the team with the best record in the league and the team with the worst record was played at the Ford Center.
The Thunder started well with Rudy Gay and Kevin Durant both getting into a good rhythm early on. They lead by 15 at the first break, 34-19
They continued in the second and the Thunder lead by 24 at the half, 66-42. Gay had 28 points and Durant had 20 by half time.
Oklahoma City dropped their intensity in the third and that allowed the T-Wolves to reduce the lead a bit. Thunder lead 88-70 with one to play.
The Thunder played out the fourth quarter without any major scares and went on to comfortably win by 23 points, 112-89.
Gay had a massive night, dropping 41 points. Durant had 30 points and 11 rebounds. He is now tied with MJ on 40 games in a row of 25 points or more.

Player of the Game: Rudy Gay

OKC - 34 32 22 24 112
MIN - 19 23 28 19 89

Top Scorers
Rudy Gay - 41
Kevin Durant - 30
Pau Gasol - 23
Jeff Green - 19
Quentin Richardson - 19

Assists
Russell Westbrook - 7
Ramon Sessions - 6

Rebounds
Ben Wallace - 14
Kevin Durant - 11
Pau Gasol - 11
Mark Blount - 10

Video Highlights
Kevin Durant beating the buzzer in the second quarter.

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[Phil89]

11/4/10

Oklahoma City Thunder [57-15] vs Golden State Warriors [26-48]

Thunder lose third game in a week after Warriors surprise win



Oklahoma City took on Golden State in their 12th home game in a row. They were looking for their 4th win against the Warriors this season.
The first quarter was close with both teams defending greatly. The Thunder had 5 blocks in the quarter and looked really switched on.
The Thunder made an amazing 15-15 from the free throw line in the first quarter, but they still trailed by 1 at the first break, 24-23.
The second quarter was just as tight and the Thunder managed to turn a 1 point deficit into a 1 point lead by the half, 48-47.
Warriors had an 11-0 run to start the third and looked like killing the contest. Thunder responded though and only trailed by 3 with one to play, 68-65.
The fourth was just as tight as the rest of the game and the Thunder were unable to catch the Warriors. Golden State won by 3 points, 91-88.
Kevin Durant had another wonderful night at the offensive end and finished with 32 points, taking him to 41 games in a row of 25 or more points.
Oklahoma City had an incredible night at the free throw line, they were 32-32. They also had 15 blocks, 8 of which were from Jeff Green.

Player of the Game: Rudy Gay

OKC - 23 25 17 23 88
GSW - 24 23 21 23 91

Top Scorers
Kevin Durant - 32
Stephen Curry - 32
Rudy Gay - 28
Monte Ellis - 21

Assists
Russell Westbrook - 5

Rebounds
Dikembe Mutombo - 10
Andris Biedrins - 10
Kevin Durant - 9
Ben Wallace - 7
Rudy Gay - 7
Cory Maggette - 7

Video Highlights
Team play by the Thunder finished by Durant.

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Kevin Durant with the big slam.

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[Phil89]

13/4/10

Oklahoma City Thunder [57-16] vs Los Angeles Clippers [34-41]

Thunder run rampant against Clippers



Oklahoma City were looking to put in a good performance against the Clippers after the disappointment of losing to the Warriors 2 nights ago.
They started the game brilliantly and quickly got their offense going. Both teams piled on the points but the Thunder lead by 9 at the first break, 38-29.
They continued their hot scoring in the second and managed to increase their lead to 18 by the half, 71-53. The game was very open and free flowing.
The Clippers tried to get back into the game in the third, but the Thunder stuck with them and still lead by 17 with one to play, 102-85.
In another high scoring quarter, the Thunder finished as they had started and eventually ran out 26 point winners, 140-114.
Russell Westbrook had a monster night with 25 points and 14 assists. Westbrook, Gay, Green and Durant had 112 points between them.
Durant extended his scoring streak with another 30 point game. It now stands at 42 games of 25 or more points.

Player of the Game: Russell Westbrook

OKC - 38 33 31 38 140
LAC - 29 24 32 29 114

Top Scorers
Kevin Durant - 30
Rudy Gay - 29
Jeff Green - 28
Baron Davis - 28
Travis Outlaw - 26
Russell Westbrook - 25

Assists
Russell Westbrook - 14
Baron Davis - 6

Rebounds
Ben Wallace - 16
Drew Gooden - 10
Chris Kaman - 9

Video Highlights
BJ Mullens finishes after Rudy Gay somehow missed the dunk.

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Ben Wallace with the double block, then Westbrook runs it down the court and scores.

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[Phil89]

15/4/10

Oklahoma City Thunder [58-16] vs Phoenix Suns [48-26]

Suns hang on in thrilling encounter



Oklahoma City welcomed the Suns to the Ford Center in a highly anticipated rematch after they won two games in a row in Phoenix earlier in the season.
The first quarter was a tight affair with both teams more focussed on defense. The Suns held onto a 3 point lead at the first break, 22-19.
The second quarter was more open but still as tight on the scoreboard. Phoenix remained in front by 3 at the half, 50-47.
In the third quarter both teams continued to be evenly matched and the game was turning into a classic. Suns lead 75-73 with one to play.
Kevin Durant and Steve Nash went shot for shot in the fourth in a highly entertaining dual. Durant had 17 points and Nash 19 points for the quarter.
Phoenix managed to hold on to win by just 2 points, 106-104. The win prevented a season series clean sweep for the Thunder.
Steve Nash had an amazing game for the Suns. He grabbed a season high 45 points, while Amare Stoudemire had 28 points and 13 rebounds.
Kevin Durant finished with 42 points of his own and extended his scoring streak to 43 games of 25 or more points.

Player of the Game: Amare Stoudemire

OKC - 19 28 26 31 104
PHX - 22 28 25 31 106

Top Scorers
Steve Nash - 45
Kevin Durant - 42
Amare Stoudemire - 28
Jeff Green - 19
Rudy Gay - 18

Assists
Russell Westbrook - 9
Grant Hill - 5

Rebounds
Amare Stoudemire - 13
Al Horford - 10
Ben Wallace - 10
Jeff Green - 8

Video Highlights
Rudy Gay with the two handed dunk.

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Block party at both ends before Wallace lays it in.

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Kevin Durant with the reverse dunk.

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[Phil89]

17/4/10

Oklahoma City Thunder [58-17] vs Sacramento Kings [26-52]

Thunder humiliate Kings by 52 points



After a close loss against the Suns, Oklahoma City looked to complete a season series clean sweep against Sacramento at the Ford Center.
In a similar start to the Clippers game, the Thunder started really well and scored with ease. Westbrook had 13 points and Durant and Gay each had 11.
They continued the onslaught in the second and embarrassingly for the Kings had a 29 point lead by half time, 73-34. They were superb at both ends.
The third quarter was closer and there was less scoring as the Kings attempted to stop the Thunder's run. Thunder lead 96-56 with one to play.
Sacramento's chances of a comeback were all but dashed when Garcia and Nocioni both picked up their 5th fouls in the 3rd quarter and had to sit out.
Oklahoma City turned it on again in the fourth and scored for fun. They eventually ran out winning by an astonishing 52 points, 127-75.
The Kings committed 21 turnovers for the game and subsequently the Thunder had 14 steals. Thunder managed to win the season series 4-0.
Kevin Durant dropped another 40 points. He extended his incredible scoring streak to 44 games. He is now averaging over 30 ppg for the season.
The Thunder next travel to Denver to take on the Nuggets who are looking to sneak into the final Play-off spot available. They are 3 games behind Utah in 8th.


Player of the Game: Kevin Durant

OKC - 38 35 23 31 127
SAC - 15 19 22 19 75

Top Scorers
Kevin Durant - 40
Rudy Gay - 25
Jeff Green - 22
Beno Udrih - 22
Russell Westbrook - 21

Assists
Russell Westbrook - 7

Rebounds
Ben Wallace - 9
Jeff Green - 7
Spencer Hawes - 7
Kevin Durant - 6

Video Highlights
Rudy Gay finishes a Thunder fast break with a dunk.

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[Phil89]

Big backlog of games posted. The games against the Clippers and the Kings were really open and scoring was just so easy.
But the games against the Warriors and the Suns were really tight and good contests which were ultimately decided by one shot.
Already secured Northwest Division, Western Conference and guaranteed to have the best record in the league as teams in the East are playing badly.
Next game at Denver. If I win I'm almost guaranteed to play Utah in the first round in the Play-offs. But if Denver win I might just face them instead.

[Bucket]

Huge game by Durant against Suns.
OMG. Win by 52 points. Amazing game for Thunder. Rudy Gay is best dunker in your team ?

[anthony22]

loool nice game,you're doing great !

[NovU]

Nice dunk and nice win! I love watching your video recaps.

By the way, that block party video is awesome. Nice blocks on both ends.

[megarover]

52 points.Suprised Durant has 40 in a game like that

[Andrew]

A couple of tough losses there but at least they were competitive to the end, it's no fun playing out the last six minutes when the CPU has run all over you. Some decisive wins as well, glad to see you get revenge on the Timberwolves after you got screwed by the foul call AI.

[kibaxx7]

That Mullens pic is the best ever, lol

[Phil89]

That Mullens pic is the best ever, lol

Yeah it's pretty funny, but there is one coming up that will top it.

[Martti.]

Mullens should really brush his teeth.

[Phil89]

19/4/10

Oklahoma City Thunder [59-17] vs Denver Nuggets [37-40]

Desperate Nuggets too good for Thunder



Oklahoma City travelled to Denver to take on the 9th placed Nuggets, who were desperate for a win to increase their chance of making the Play-offs.
The first quarter was very tight as both teams looked to get an early advantage. The Thunder lead by 1 at the first break, 25-24.
Their offense failed them in the second though as the Nuggets threatened to end the contest. Nuggets lead by 13 at the half, 50-37. Billups had 20 points.
The Thunder got their offense going again in the third, but the Nuggets upped their game and grabbed an unassailable 25 point lead with one to play, 86-61.
Oklahoma City were just playing for pride in the fourth and they managed to reduce the margin somewhat. Denver won by 17, 107-90.
The win keeps their Play-off hopes alive for now. Chauncey Billups was unstoppable in this game. He had 41 points and 5 assists.
Kevin Durant had 43 points and 8 rebounds for the Thunder. His scoring streak extended to 45 games.


Player of the Game: Chauncey Billups

OKC - 25 12 24 29 90
DEN - 24 26 36 21 107

Top Scorers
Kevin Durant - 43
Chauncey Billups - 41
Nene - 23
Carmelo Anthony - 21

Assists
Russell Westbrook - 6
Renaldo Balkman - 6
Chauncey Billups - 5

Rebounds
Nene - 16
Chris Andersen - 11
Jeff Green - 9
Kevin Durant - 8

Video Highlights
Kevin Durant big block on Melo.

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[Phil89]

21/4/10

Oklahoma City Thunder [59-18] vs Minnesota Timberwolves [24-54]

Durant's streak over as Thunder put in poor display against Timberwolves



Oklahoma City travelled to Minnesota looking to secure win number 60 for the season against the last placed Timberwolves.
However, it was the T-Wolves that started the game better. They managed to restrict the Thunder's offense and held a 26-16 lead at the first break.
The second quarter was a bit closer as the Thunder upped their defense. Minnesota increased their lead to 13 by the half, 46-33.
Oklahoma City couldn't get into the game. Their struggles continued in the third quarter. T-Wolves lead 73-56 with one to play.
The Thunder mounted a brave comeback in the fourth. They managed to get within a point in the final minute of the game.
But Minnesota held on to win and tie the season series at 2-2. Pau Gasol had another great game with 33 points and 13 rebounds.
Kevin Durant had his worst game in months. He only managed 23 points and his 45 game scoring streak is over.


Player of the Game: Pau Gasol

OKC - 16 17 23 29 85
MIN - 26 20 27 19 92

Top Scorers
Pau Gasol - 33
Kevin Durant - 23
Rudy Gay - 23
Jeff Green - 18

Assists
Kevin Durant - 4
Russell Westbrook - 4
Ramon Sessions - 4

Rebounds
Pau Gasol - 13
Mark Blount - 9
Jeff Green - 9

Video Highlights
Rudy Gay with the spectacular dunk.

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[Andrew]

Tough break on both counts, I thought Durant's streak would continue right through to the Playoffs and perhaps even beyond. Still a great run though, I'm pulling for him to get the MVP. Certainly an "interesting" screenshot for the Timberwolves game.