Celtics Withstand Kevin Durant’s 34-Point Effort, Down Thunder, 92-83

by

Nov 7, 2010

Celtics Withstand Kevin Durant's 34-Point Effort, Down Thunder, 92-83 OKLAHOMA CITY — Ray Allen scored 19 points and Boston's bench helped prevent a big lead from slipping away in the fourth quarter as the Celtics opened a four-game road trip Sunday night with a 92-83 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Glen Davis had three foul line jumpers during a 15-6 push by the Celtics after their 22-point lead had been cut to 73-67 early in the fourth quarter. Allen's 3-pointer from the left wing restored the advantage to 88-71 with 7:04 remaining, and Boston hung on from there.

Kevin Durant scored 34 points and Russell Westbrook had 16 points and 10 assists to lead Oklahoma City, which played without third-leading scorer Jeff Green. Green is day to day with a sprained left ankle.

Paul Pierce scored 17 points and Rajon Rondo added 10 points and 10 assists for Boston.

Durant was called for a rare technical foul with 1:05 to play after a scuffle with Pierce under the basket, but replays showed that Pierce had a hold of Durant's arm when it started. After Pierce missed his free throw and Westbrook fouled Rondo on the ensuing inbounds pass, both headed to the bench.

Boston built a 58-37 halftime lead by shooting 56 percent and finishing on a 24-6 run. Nate Robinson hit a running, right-handed 3-pointer just before the halftime buzzer to draw a fist pump from coach Doc Rivers, who had substituted him into the game with 2.3 seconds left in hopes of stealing a basket before intermission.

Durant and Westbrook led Oklahoma City's comeback by scoring all of the team's points during a third quarter when the Thunder outscored Boston 27-15.

The Celtics led by as much as 64-42 before Westbrook reeled off a personal string of nine straight points to give Oklahoma City a chance. He hit a pair of jumpers and three free throws, then capped it off with a steal that led to a two-handed, fast-break dunk.

Allen fired back with a jumper and a 3-pointer in Boston's 7-0 response, but Oklahoma City scored 16 of the next 18 points to get within 73-67 on James Harden's 3 to open the fourth quarter.

Notes
With Green and F Nick Collison out, rookie Cole Aldrich played a career-high 14 minutes for the Thunder but did not score. … Boston C Shaquille O'Neal sat out his fourth straight game with a sore right knee. … The Celtics play at Dallas, Miami and Memphis as part of their road trip that matches the longest of the season.

Previous Article

Celtics Pick Up Solid Win in Oklahoma City, But Still Far From Satisfied With Play

Next Article

Celtics’ Road Trip Brings Them to Texas to Tangle With Dirk Nowitzki’s Mavericks

Picked For You