Monday, January 16, 2012

Red Hot Thunder see off struggling Celtics

Kevin Durant scored 28 points with seven rebounds for the Oklahoma City Thunder as they beat the Boston Celtics 97-88 on Monday night to continue their hot streak.


Russell Westbrook was also amongst the points as the Thunder – the hot favourite among NBA betting tips  - made it seven wins in a row and consigned the Celtics to their fifth straights loss. Westbrook scored 26 points, including two vital three-pointers late on to secure the victory for Oklahoma.

Thabo Sefolosha scored 12 points in the fourth quarter for the Thunder and Kendrick Perkins had seven points and five rebounds on his return to Boston. Paul Pierce scored 24 points and Kevin Garnett had 12 points and 12 rebounds for the Celtics.

The Thunder started the game in confident mood and led 25-17 after the first quarter. They stretched that lead out to ten points in the second and held a 46-39 advantage at halftime.

Pierce hit a purple patch either side of the break and threatened to haul the Celtics back into the contest. He scored Boston’s last six points in the second quarter and three more quick baskets early in the third.

Back-to-back-layups by Jermaine O’Neal tied the score at 57 each with five minutes to play in the third, but the Thunder went on to score the last seven points of the quarter to make it a ten-point game.

Boston hit back in the final quarter and cut the deficit to 83-80 with 2:25 to play. However, the Thunder raised their game in the closing stages with Sefolosha and Westbrook to the fore.

Punters who bet on basketball expect Oklahoma to continue their impressive form against the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night, while the Celtics will look to get their season back on track when they play Toronto Raptors.

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