Clippers Top Thunder in Sunday Thriller
The Oklahoma City Thunder have lost two straight but still has the best record in the NBA.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have dropped back to back games at home. After getting drubbed on Thursday by the Miami Heat, they dropped a thriller to the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday afternoon. Since the Daytona 500 was in a rain delay for 6.5 hours, the NBA was the only game in town (or on TV) and the Clippers and Thunder gave the fans an exciting game. Jamal Crawford exploded for 36 points including 5-8 from three points and Matt Barnes added 24 for the Pacific Division leaders as they beat the Northwest Division leaders 125-117. Kevin Durant had 42 points but missed some open looks late in the game that could have possibly swung momentum in the Thunder’s favor. He was 15-30 and 2-6 from downtown. Russell Westbrook added only 13 points as he is still trying to get back into game shape following a couple of lengthy injuries.
The win snapped a two game Clippers skid as they improved to 38-20. J. J. Redick missed the game with a bad back but Crawford and Barnes more than made up for his outside shooting not being available. Later in the day the Clippers got the news that his former Orlando Magic teammate Glen Davis will be joining them for the playoff run. Davis played for Doc Rivers and helped him win a championship in 2008 with the Boston Celtics. This could be huge for the Clippers who really needed another forward who can score and rebound.
On Monday, the Clippers will take on the New Orleans Pelicans on the road before facing the Houston Rockets at home this Wednesday. They are currently two games behind the Rockets in the loss column.
The Thunder dropped to 43-14, still the NBA’s best record. They will host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday trying to avoid their first three game home losing streak of the season. The Cavs have been playing better ball of late having won five of their last six.
The Portland Trail Blazers gained two games on the Thunder while they are on their losing streak. They beat the Utah Jazz on Friday 102-94 and the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday 108-97. This has pulled the Blazers to within 4.5 games of the division lead. $.5 is still a lot to make up on the Thunder, but at least they still have a shot.
Minnesota is now two games under .500 at 27-29. That record would be good enough to make the playoffs in the Eastern Conference, but is well short in the tough Western Conference. The Denver Nuggets are in even worse shape at 25-30.
