NBA
Regular Season Round 81: Washington W. - Oklah.City T. 103-105 OT
Date: January 21, 2015
For months, speculation of Kevin Durant's potential homecoming has swirled, and it consumed Verizon Center on Wednesday night, generating an atmosphere unique to the Prince George native's annual visit to face his hometown Washington Wizards. Wishful Wizards fans posit playing at home in front of friends and family surrounded by a talented core will make Washington the more attractive destination for Durant when he becomes a free agent in 2016. But a sellout crowd caught a glimpse of what the Thunder can offer in the final seconds of a thrilling, 105-103 overtime loss to the visitors: a bona fide co-superstar capable of partnering with Durant for annual championship contention. With 3.6 seconds remaining, Russell Westbrook, the explosive Thunder point guard, slipped behind an overzealous Bradley Beal and was gone in an instant. Westbrook caught the basketball just inside the midcourt line on the run and encountered no resistance as he zipped to the basket with two dribbles for an uncontested left-handed layup. He skipped in celebration in front of the Wizards' bench to conclude a 32-point, eight-rebound, eight-assist performance as Durant fist-pumped with elation from halfcourt. 'I got caught ball watching, Beal admitted. 'He just beat me backdoor. I shouldn't have tried to deny him. I definitely take the blame for this game. Wesbrook's heroics capped a two-man show staged with Durant, who tallied 34 points on 10-for-23 shooting and seven rebounds. The all-star duo combined to score the Thunder's final 18 points, while center Steven Adams grabbed 20 rebounds to power Oklahoma City to its fourth straight win. 'Their superstars played like superstars, Wizards guard John Wall said. The result, the second time in less than a month the Wizards fell to the Thunder down the stretch, snapped Washington's three-game home winning streak against Oklahoma City and dropped the Wizards, who once led by 14 points, to 29-14. Oklahoma City, ravaged by injuries to Durant and Westbrook for the first few months of the season, improved to 22-20 and swept the season series. Nene was aggressive from the tip and recorded a season-high 24 points to lead the Wizards. Wall, who missed a desperation three-pointer as time expired, added 18 points, 13 assists and six rebounds for his 22nd double-double. Beal and Paul Pierce, however, combined to shoot 10 for 34 from the field and 4 for 18 from three-point range. Both teams shot poorly - the Wizards shot 38 percent, while the Thunder hit 39.2 percent - but Durant and Westbrook were able to generate 21 free throw attempts between them to counter the struggles. Washington settled for jump shots, including a miss from Wall at the end of regulation. Washington got to the line 26 times, but nine of the attempts came from Nene. 'We just have to, when you aren't shooting the ball well, get to the free throw line, penetrate and find openings there, Wizards Coach Randy Wittman said. 'It's just those kinds of things we're still learning to do. Durant's return gave the game a different feel. At least one fan hoisted a sign that called for Durant to come home in 2016, when he is slated to venture into free agency for the first time. Customized Wizards jerseys with variations of Durant's names and aliases dotted the crowd. An in-game weather report during the fourth quarter featured Durant in a Wizards jersey and a weatherman pleading for Durant to come home. The halftime entertainment was a Montrose Christian School freshman team scrimmage. Durant attended the Rockville school for his senior season. Durant's looming free agency was inevitably broached over the five-minute session the reigning MVP had before the game. Durant, keeping with his previous responses on the matter, handled the subject deftly and didn't completely quash the possibility of a return. He was asked what he thought of the KD2DC movement that has intensified this season on social media and the overall support the region has exhibited since he reached the NBA. Durant replied, 'It's cool. A minute later, he was asked whether he has ever considered playing in Washington. 'I've never thought about it, asserted Durant, who requested 91 tickets for friends and family. 'I hear it in the summertime. I heard about it for the first time this summer. I love playing for Oklahoma City, man. There's just a certain level of pride I have playing with Oklahoma City on my chest, so that's the only thing I focus on. Everybody knows I represent where I come from and where I played no matter what arena. I just focus playing for Oklahoma City. It feels like home for me now. So that's where I am. Whether he has contemplated a return, the possibility is real. Durant would be, on paper, an ideal fit alongside Wall and Beal, the last piece for a formidable big three. The Wizards, however, aren't waiting on the Thunder superstar to become legitimate contenders. They've resurrected a roster with the flexibility to pursue the superstar and the talent to compete now. In the meantime, Washington was home to its prodigal basketball son for one night, and the Wizards weren't kind hosts to start. Washington held Oklahoma City to one field goal for nearly eight minutes and just 12 points on an abysmal 4-for-22 shooting (18.2 percent) in the second quarter. But Westbrook erupted for 16 points in the third quarter, and the Thunder eventually took the lead for the first time since the first quarter with 9 minutes 10 seconds remaining in regulation. The teams traded jabs for the final minutes before Westbrook snatched the spotlight from Durant to put the Wizards away. 'Let's be honest, Wizards center Marcin Gortat said. 'We just didn't stop Kevin Durant and Russell Westbook. They're pretty good. Courtesy of: washingtonpost.com
Terms:
Field Goals : 2PM-A (2 point Field Goal made-attempts) 3PM-A (3 point Field Goal made-attempts) FTM-A (free throws made-attempt)
Rebounds : OFF (Offensive) DEF (Defensive) TOT (total)
Fouls : CM (Committed) RV (received)
Blocks : FV (In Favor) AG (Against)
Other terms : MIN (minutes) AST (assists) ST (steals) TO (Turnovers) PTS (points) RNK (ranking)
Regular Season Round 81: Washington W. - Oklah.City T. 103-105 OT
Date: January 21, 2015
For months, speculation of Kevin Durant's potential homecoming has swirled, and it consumed Verizon Center on Wednesday night, generating an atmosphere unique to the Prince George native's annual visit to face his hometown Washington Wizards. Wishful Wizards fans posit playing at home in front of friends and family surrounded by a talented core will make Washington the more attractive destination for Durant when he becomes a free agent in 2016. But a sellout crowd caught a glimpse of what the Thunder can offer in the final seconds of a thrilling, 105-103 overtime loss to the visitors: a bona fide co-superstar capable of partnering with Durant for annual championship contention. With 3.6 seconds remaining, Russell Westbrook, the explosive Thunder point guard, slipped behind an overzealous Bradley Beal and was gone in an instant. Westbrook caught the basketball just inside the midcourt line on the run and encountered no resistance as he zipped to the basket with two dribbles for an uncontested left-handed layup. He skipped in celebration in front of the Wizards' bench to conclude a 32-point, eight-rebound, eight-assist performance as Durant fist-pumped with elation from halfcourt. 'I got caught ball watching, Beal admitted. 'He just beat me backdoor. I shouldn't have tried to deny him. I definitely take the blame for this game. Wesbrook's heroics capped a two-man show staged with Durant, who tallied 34 points on 10-for-23 shooting and seven rebounds. The all-star duo combined to score the Thunder's final 18 points, while center Steven Adams grabbed 20 rebounds to power Oklahoma City to its fourth straight win. 'Their superstars played like superstars, Wizards guard John Wall said. The result, the second time in less than a month the Wizards fell to the Thunder down the stretch, snapped Washington's three-game home winning streak against Oklahoma City and dropped the Wizards, who once led by 14 points, to 29-14. Oklahoma City, ravaged by injuries to Durant and Westbrook for the first few months of the season, improved to 22-20 and swept the season series. Nene was aggressive from the tip and recorded a season-high 24 points to lead the Wizards. Wall, who missed a desperation three-pointer as time expired, added 18 points, 13 assists and six rebounds for his 22nd double-double. Beal and Paul Pierce, however, combined to shoot 10 for 34 from the field and 4 for 18 from three-point range. Both teams shot poorly - the Wizards shot 38 percent, while the Thunder hit 39.2 percent - but Durant and Westbrook were able to generate 21 free throw attempts between them to counter the struggles. Washington settled for jump shots, including a miss from Wall at the end of regulation. Washington got to the line 26 times, but nine of the attempts came from Nene. 'We just have to, when you aren't shooting the ball well, get to the free throw line, penetrate and find openings there, Wizards Coach Randy Wittman said. 'It's just those kinds of things we're still learning to do. Durant's return gave the game a different feel. At least one fan hoisted a sign that called for Durant to come home in 2016, when he is slated to venture into free agency for the first time. Customized Wizards jerseys with variations of Durant's names and aliases dotted the crowd. An in-game weather report during the fourth quarter featured Durant in a Wizards jersey and a weatherman pleading for Durant to come home. The halftime entertainment was a Montrose Christian School freshman team scrimmage. Durant attended the Rockville school for his senior season. Durant's looming free agency was inevitably broached over the five-minute session the reigning MVP had before the game. Durant, keeping with his previous responses on the matter, handled the subject deftly and didn't completely quash the possibility of a return. He was asked what he thought of the KD2DC movement that has intensified this season on social media and the overall support the region has exhibited since he reached the NBA. Durant replied, 'It's cool. A minute later, he was asked whether he has ever considered playing in Washington. 'I've never thought about it, asserted Durant, who requested 91 tickets for friends and family. 'I hear it in the summertime. I heard about it for the first time this summer. I love playing for Oklahoma City, man. There's just a certain level of pride I have playing with Oklahoma City on my chest, so that's the only thing I focus on. Everybody knows I represent where I come from and where I played no matter what arena. I just focus playing for Oklahoma City. It feels like home for me now. So that's where I am. Whether he has contemplated a return, the possibility is real. Durant would be, on paper, an ideal fit alongside Wall and Beal, the last piece for a formidable big three. The Wizards, however, aren't waiting on the Thunder superstar to become legitimate contenders. They've resurrected a roster with the flexibility to pursue the superstar and the talent to compete now. In the meantime, Washington was home to its prodigal basketball son for one night, and the Wizards weren't kind hosts to start. Washington held Oklahoma City to one field goal for nearly eight minutes and just 12 points on an abysmal 4-for-22 shooting (18.2 percent) in the second quarter. But Westbrook erupted for 16 points in the third quarter, and the Thunder eventually took the lead for the first time since the first quarter with 9 minutes 10 seconds remaining in regulation. The teams traded jabs for the final minutes before Westbrook snatched the spotlight from Durant to put the Wizards away. 'Let's be honest, Wizards center Marcin Gortat said. 'We just didn't stop Kevin Durant and Russell Westbook. They're pretty good. Courtesy of: washingtonpost.com
 OKLAH.CITY T. (coach: Mark Daigneault)105 |
| FIELD GOALS | REBOUNDS | FOULS | BLOCKS | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | NAME | MIN | 2PM-A | 3PM-A | FTM-A | OFF | DEF | RB | AS | F | RV | ST | FV | AG | TO | PT | RNK | +/- |
| 40 | guQijU, KRLaj | 30 | 1-64 (31.8%) | 3-65 (35%) | 65-66 (75.7%) | 5 | 9 | 9 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 43 | 89 | 5 |
| 5 | WRsUMQIIV, eussRll | 38 | 68-83 (05%) | 5-3 (5%) | 2-65 (25%) | 8 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 48 | 83 | 5 |
| 68 | SdiBs, AURLRj | 47 | 4-9 (38.7%) | 5-5 (5%) | 5-6 (5%) | 3 | 61 | 85 | 8 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 85 | 5 |
| WiaURQs, gaIj | 43 | 3-2 (05%) | 5-3 (5%) | 5-5 (5%) | 6 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 5 | |
| 8 | bIQQIT, SjUhIjF | 82 | 4-1 (05%) | 6-4 (44.4%) | 6-6 (655%) | 6 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 65 | 9 | 5 |
| 7 | oMiVi, ARQDR | 82 | 8-9 (82.1%) | 6-3 (80%) | 5-5 (5%) | 6 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 5 |
| 86 | eIMRQsIj, SjdQR | 61 | 5-5 (5%) | 5-5 (5%) | 5-5 (5%) | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 8 | 5 |
| 0 | ORQVajs, KRjdQaZV | 63 | 4-3 (90%) | 5-5 (5%) | 5-5 (5%) | 8 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 9 | 5 |
| 60 | ziZVsIj, eRDDaR | 63 | 5-4 (5%) | 5-4 (5%) | 5-5 (5%) | 5 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| 3 | CIllasIj, XaZV | 0 | 6-6 (655%) | 5-6 (5%) | 5-5 (5%) | 5 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 4 | 5 |
| wIUil | 43-94 (31.1%) | 1-87 (85.9%) | 67-84 (28.1%) | 66 | 31 | 09 | 86 | 86 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 65 | 650 | 71 | |||
 WASHINGTON W. (coach: Brian Keefe)103 |
| FIELD GOALS | REBOUNDS | FOULS | BLOCKS | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | NAME | MIN | 2PM-A | 3PM-A | FTM-A | OFF | DEF | RB | AS | F | RV | ST | FV | AG | TO | PT | RNK | +/- |
| 8 | Will, zIhj | 33 | 3-66 (41.3%) | 8-1 (44.4%) | 3-3 (655%) | 5 | 1 | 1 | 64 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 62 | 88 | 5 |
| 4 | mRil, mQidlRF | 38 | 4-68 (80%) | 8-7 (88.8%) | 8-8 (655%) | 3 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 63 | 0 | 5 |
| 43 | OaRQZR, Oiul | 49 | 4-3 (90%) | 8-7 (88.8%) | 8-8 (655%) | 3 | 2 | 68 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 63 | 85 | 5 |
| 3 | GIQUiU, biQZaj | 49 | 0-2 (18.0%) | 5-6 (5%) | 5-5 (5%) | 6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 65 | 68 | 5 |
| 38 | HaliQaI, XRjR | 43 | 7-64 (17.8%) | 5-6 (5%) | 1-7 (11.9%) | 5 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 83 | 85 | 5 |
| 2 | muUlRQ, eisuil | 80 | 8-0 (35%) | 6-4 (44.4%) | 8-8 (655%) | 5 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 7 | 2 | 5 |
| 34 | HuBphQaRs, KQas | 67 | 6-4 (44.4%) | 5-5 (5%) | 8-8 (655%) | 8 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 5 |
| 64 | ARQiphaj, KRLaj | 66 | 3-7 (33.3%) | 5-5 (5%) | 6-6 (655%) | 8 | 5 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 4 | 5 |
| 83 | ballRQ, SjdQR | 7 | 5-3 (5%) | 5-5 (5%) | 5-8 (5%) | 5 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| 88 | OIQURQ, PUUI | 9 | 5-6 (5%) | 5-6 (5%) | 6-8 (05%) | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 5 |
| wIUil | 46-95 (33.4%) | 9-45 (84.4%) | 85-81 (91.7%) | 64 | 30 | 02 | 84 | 85 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 654 | 72 | |||
Terms:
Field Goals : 2PM-A (2 point Field Goal made-attempts) 3PM-A (3 point Field Goal made-attempts) FTM-A (free throws made-attempt)
Rebounds : OFF (Offensive) DEF (Defensive) TOT (total)
Fouls : CM (Committed) RV (received)
Blocks : FV (In Favor) AG (Against)
Other terms : MIN (minutes) AST (assists) ST (steals) TO (Turnovers) PTS (points) RNK (ranking)
