Thunder eclipse the Suns behind record comeback, 109-97
It was exactly the start Oklahoma City needed to avoid on the defensive end after what happened last night in Utah. The Thunder, early on, had no answer for Markieff Morris who poured in 16 points in the first quarter. And just sixteen minutes into the game the Thunder had dug themselves a 20-point hole on the road — on the second night of a back-to-back — against a team fighting for its playoff life.
The Thunder had reached that point in the game where you either pack it in for the night, or dig your heels in and go to work.
“The last six minutes of that second quarter changed the game,” Scott Brooks said. “I told the guys when we were down by 20, ‘This is going to be the most important six minutes of this game and we have to take advantage of it.'”
Russell Westbrook scored 16 straight points to keep the Thunder in it as the Suns took a 62-54 lead into halftime. The Thunder rode that momentum into the second half grinding though a tough third quarter, and eventually running away with the game in the fourth. The Suns, after scoring 62 points in the first half, was held to just 35 in the second and was out scored 33-18 in the closing frame. It was the largest comeback (20) since the team moved to Oklahoma City.
Westbrook on the comeback: “Once they got up by 20, we had a decision, defend or go home. And as you can see, we decided to defend and close out the quarter at a reasonable number and it went uphill from there.”
Westbrook was great again, finishing with 33 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists with 3 steals. He came out extremely aggressive in the first half, and played a controlled distributing role in the second half with some solid defense on Eric Bledsoe who finished with 15 points, 7 assists and 6 turnovers.
“It was a huge game. And tonight we played with a playoff mindset, as if we were in the playoffs today and that’s what we need to do playing the rest of the season out,” Westbrook said.
That’s now 72 points, 23 rebounds and 18 assists for Westbrook in his last two trips to Phoenix.
Other notables: D.J. Augustin had 19 (13 in the fourth quarter), Steven Adams had 13 points and 16 rebounds in 42 minutes.
Something to watch for going forward is Westbrook sitting on 15 technical fouls. Russ started jawing with Marcus Morris after he fouled Singler in the opening minute. Ron Garretson apparently heard the magic word and quickly hit Westbrook with a tech — his fourth against the Suns this season.
A 16th tech would result in an automatic suspension for Westbrook, something OKC can’t afford with so little breathing room for the eighth and final playoff spot.
NOTES:
- Russ on matching McGary’s bench celebrations: “Nah, nah I don’t do that. I don’t do all that. I get ready for the game. I’ll let him do that.”
- Markieff Morris finished with just 8 points over the final three quarters. Huge improvement in effort and scheme. Singler did a number on him in that second half.
- Waiters looked pretty good despite a sore foot.
- Y’all see the Thunder try and pull a fast one sending Morrow to the line for those clear path FT’s? Alllllmost got away with it, too.
- The Thunder went 10-26 (38.5 percent) from the 3-point line. That’ll do.
- Related: Anthony Morrow is 42-of-78 from three (54 percent) the past 14 games. *All the fire emojis
- A wise man once said, “Now it’s on to the Suns. This game tonight was big, but can quickly be cleansed with a better performance in Phoenix.”
- SOURCES: Royce is wise.
- Enes Kanter’s streak of double-doubles ended at nine. He finished one rebound shy of number 10 (11 and nine).
- The real Kanter news is that he got posterized by none other than Russell Westbrook. Oh my.
- I wonder if any team in the league would like to replay the last 12 months more than Phoenix. Had so much young talent (and still do), and decided to roll the dice on roster reconstruction. They’ll be watching the playoffs from home again, but this time with a much different tone surrounding the team. Last year they were the deserving darlings with a bright future, this year they look like they don’t belong.
Next up: Home against the Mavericks on Wednesday.
