Oklahoma City survived a strong second half run from the Boston Celtics to prevail 97-88. After struggling from three-point range early in the game, the Thunder buried four clutch attempts late to hold off the Celtics.
Thabo Sefolosha and Russell Westbrook nailed two three-pointers each in the last two minutes as the Thunder finished the game with a 14-8 run.
Kevin Durant made his presence felt throughout the game finishing with a game-high 28 points to go along with seven rebounds and four assists. Russell Westbrook added 26 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals. Westbrook hit 3-4 attempts from three-point range. Thabo Sefolosha hit both of his three-point attempts and finished with 19 points in the game.
Paul Pierce had his most productive game of the season finishing with 24 points to lead the Celtics. Mickael Pietrus added 14 points off the bench while Kevin Garnett, Jermaine O'Neal and Rajon Rondo all finished with 12 points. Rondo narrowly missed out on a triple-double finishing with nine rebounds and nine assists.
Oklahoma City improves to a Western Conference best 12-2 on the season while Boston suffers its fifth consecutive loss to fall to 4-8.
The Oklahoma City Thunder carry a 46-39 lead over the Boston Celtics into half time of Thunder center Kendrick Perkins' emotional return to the Garden. Perkins was treated to a video salute during the first time out of the game and also received a loud ovation from the Boston crowd.
On the court, the Celtics could have used Perkins as they have desperately tried to hang in against the Thunder. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook lead the way for Oklahoma City at the half with 16 points each. Durant hit 5-11 shots in the first half while Westbrook finished 6-10. Perkins is scoreless in his return but does have four rebounds and a blocked shot in 13 first-half minutes.
Oklahoma City limited the Celtics to just 34 percent shooting in the first half. Paul Pierce leads the Celtics with 11 points while Ray Allen, Rajon Rondo and Jermaine O'Neal all have six. Kevin Garnett finished the half with four points and five boards.
The Oklahoma City Thunder and the Boston Celtics will face-off in the "Kendrick Perkins Reunion" on Monday night as the two teams are headed in opposite directions thus far this season.
