The surprising Oklahoma City Thunder are back at home and
will entertain the Los Angeles Clippers tonight from the Ford Center.
Oklahoma City has won two in a row and three of four games, including
Saturday's improbable 101-98 victory at San Antonio in the finale of a three-
game road trip. Thunder young star Kevin Durant posted 25 points to lead the
way despite the fact the Spurs welcomed back the return of injured stars Tim
Duncan and Tony Parker.
Jeff Green posted 21 points and 10 boards for the Thunder, who went 2-1 on the
quick road swing. Russell Westbrook added 19 points and 11 assists in the
victory.
"I just like the way that we played," said Thunder coach Scott Brooks. "We
played very physical, we played tough basketball. We beat one of the best
teams in basketball. We hung in there and made some plays down the stretch."
Meanwhile, the Clippers have lost three straight since a three-game winning
streak and will kick off a three-game road trip Sunday.
In Friday's 104-89 setback versus Toronto in the finale of a four-game
homestand, Chris Kaman paced the losing squad with 25 points and seven
rebounds, while Baron Davis notched 17 points and seven assists for Los
Angeles, which blew a big lead and went 1-3 on the residency. LA will also
visit New Orleans and Memphis on the upcoming trek.
"I'm disappointed in the loss. We had a 22-point lead but we didn't do a good
job of containing it. We need to be a little stronger mentally," said Clippers
head coach Mike Dunleavy.
Al Thornton chipped in 12 points and Sebastian Telfair added 10 in defeat.
Oklahoma City recently defeated the Clippers, 83-79, on November 11 at Staples
Center and has won two straight in the series. Los Angeles has won six of the
last eight matchups as the visitor.
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