Kevin Durant's sparkling performance led Oklahoma City Thunder to a comprehensive victory over Houston Rockets 120-98 on James Harden's return to OKC.
For the Thunder, Durant scored a season high 37 points and chipped in with seven rebounds, which made his former teammate James Harden's return to Oklahoma City a forgettable one. Serge Ibaka supported Durant well with 23 points and nine rebounds.
Harden scored 17 points but could not save the game for the Rockets. He was not looking comfortable while shooting and could only make three of his 16 attempts. He missed his first nine shots.
"I just couldn't finish the ball around the basket," the Associated Press quoted Harden as saying. "I had a couple of good looks. I think the other guys feel the same way."
Harden scored his first points through free throws and he scored only two points in the first half. He missed all his eight attempts from the field. He never looked a threat against his former team.
"It's crazy," Durant said. "Seeing him before the game and in chapel just in a different uniform is a little different. We've moved on past it, man.
"We're happy to see him, glad he's doing well out there in Houston but we wanted this win bad.
"For all those days in practice where him, Daequan (Cook) and Eric Maynor beat the first group, I wanted this win real bad."
Harden was with Oklahoma City until last season, but could not agree on a contract extension and was eventually traded just before the start of the current season. Harden signed a maximum contract worth $80 million with Houston.
"One minute, I was at dinner with my family. The next minute, I'm headed to Houston,'' Harden commented on his joining of the Rockets. "It happened pretty quick."
For Houston, Patrick Patterson was the top scorer with 27 points and six rebounds, Omer Asik added 17 points and 12 rebounds, Daequan Cook contributed with 18 points and seven rebounds and Kevin Martin scored 17 points.
© Copyright 2024 Sports World News, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
