But the games still count, the records still count and the Oklahoma City Thunder past year can tell you all about the ripple effect from these early games. As a result, Durant only got up two shots in the final five minutes.
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Derozan’s 28 points led all scorers.
Toronto attempted 39 free throws to Oklahoma City’s 14, generating uncontested offense with the clock stopped at the end of the final two periods.
The Raptors, now 5-0, are set to take on the Orlando magic on Friday in their third-straight game away from the Air Canada Centre.
DeRozan and Lowry were a combined 3-for-15 from the field in the first half but DeRozan did make all six of his free throws. “We put them to the free throw line … we struggled defensively in the second half and certainly we fouled too much and put Derozan too much to the free throw line”.
“We’ve gotten back to what wins in this league”, Casey said. The one bright spot Tuesday was the debut for rookie Bobby Portis, who had 10 points in 10 minutes.BUZZER BEATERS1.
Westbrook contributed eight giveaways to the Thunder’s 19 on the night and also missed countless layups where he should have found the bottom of the net for two. Kyle Lowry and Jonas Valanciunas each added 17 points and DeMarre Carroll chipped in 13. Westbrook’s 22 points and 16 assists paced Oklahoma City, while Durant’s 27 points and seven rebounds came as quietly as ever. Kanter, despite shooting better than 55 percent and making more than $16 million, is averaging fewer than 20 minutes per night.
Turnovers were again the issue, with Westbrook the main culprit, despite coach Billy Donovan’s remarks after the team’s 24-turnover loss to the Houston Rockets on Monday.
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“They made it more their type of game – physical, grinding and a lot of physical contact”, Carlisle said. “It was pretty much our turnovers and we didn’t get into our offense, we just have to do a better job of staying under control, taking care of the ball and that’s pretty much it”. It’ll be OKC’s second back-to-back of the week.
