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National Basketball Association roundup: Thunder’s Durant, Pelicans’ Davis injured in victories

He spoke quietly after the blowout in Boston. When the Wizards turned their focus to stopping Durant and Westbrook, the rest of the Thunder were willing and able to step up. By the end of it, Wittman was furious.

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Oklahoma City Thunder won 125-101 over the Washington Wizards on Tuesday. The Philly native was stroking jumpers, the basketball not even touching the net when knocking down threes, and he was crucial in carrying OKC to victory in what began as a competitive game. “Without pride or any character”. I can get a rebound. I guarantee it. If you give me 27 minutes on Saturday, I’ll get you a rebound.

For years, Washington has prioritized defense in public chatter and on the floor. The expert added, “The talk is different, but as far as the numbers go, it’s the same (as last season)”.

Washington avoided their recent rash of turnovers, yet lost their third straight game while conceding their most points this season.

“It’s definitely my fault. We’ve got three days to find the guys that’ll play that way”.

Fisher said there wouldn’t be any minutes restrictions on Afflalo upon his return, but that he would keep him from playing both games of back-to-backs. I’ve got no explanation.

He called it a “small injury” and said he’ll have an MRI exam Wednesday. There was clear frustration from Washington, as Marcin Gortat and Kris Humphries got into a shouting match with each other during a late second quarter free throw.

“Nah, I didn’t”, Durant said when asked if he heard the boos. Then made his second career 3-point attempt and finished 4-for-8 from the field overall, spiked an open-court dunk, and scored 11 points. Drew Gooden started in his place at power forward. He broke a bone in his right foot last preseason, had three procedures on it and played in only 27 games as the Thunder missed the playoffs. “We don’t have any toughness”.

On a night that was missing so much we had hoped for, at least we saw one thing we expected. Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka made for a powerful pick and roll combo in the third quarter, and the Wizards had no defensive answer.

“We don’t defend”, the 56-year-old coach continued.

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Durant has the luxury of the season being just eight games in. He has a significant break to improve. Teams can score with them, or more than them in these last three games (losses to Houston, Toronto, and Chicago). “The soreness is still there”.

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