SB Nation Kansas City - Thunder Vs. Celtics: OKC Extends Streak To Seven With 97-88 Win Over Bostonhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48935/kc-fave.png2012-01-16T21:50:23-06:00http://kansascity.sbnation.com/rss/stream/24754252012-01-16T21:50:23-06:002012-01-16T21:50:23-06:00Thunder Vs. Celtics Final Score: Kevin Durant Leads OKC Over Boston 97-88
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/exbUQvHgNjCYGioT7IQoM5ZwogU=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828121/large_kansascity.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>Oklahoma City survived a strong second half run from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">Boston Celtics</a> to prevail 97-88. After struggling from three-point range early in the game, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Thunder</a> buried four clutch attempts late to hold off the Celtics. </p>
<p>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. </p>
<p>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. </p>
<p>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. </p>
<p>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. </p>
<p><i style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">For more on this game Thunder fans should head over to <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #232e80; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" target="_blank" href="http://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Welcome To Loud City</a></i><i style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"> and Celtics fans should check out <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #232e80; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" target="_blank" href="http://www.celticsblog.com/">Celtics Blog</a></i><i style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">. For more news and analysis on the NBA head over to <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #232e80; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://kansascity.sbnation.com/2012/1/nba">SB Nation's NBA page</a>.</i></p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/2012/1/16/2712502/thunder-vs-celtics-2012-final-scoreKris Willis2012-01-16T20:13:23-06:002012-01-16T20:13:23-06:00Thunder Vs. Celtics Score: OKC Carries 46-39 Lead Into Halftime
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/exbUQvHgNjCYGioT7IQoM5ZwogU=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828121/large_kansascity.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Oklahoma City Thunder</a> carry a 46-39 lead over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">Boston Celtics</a> into half time of Thunder center <span>Kendrick Perkins</span>' 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. </p>
<p>On the court, the Celtics could have used Perkins as they have desperately tried to hang in against the Thunder. <span>Kevin Durant</span> and <span>Russell Westbrook</span> 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. </p>
<p>Oklahoma City limited the Celtics to just 34 percent shooting in the first half. <span>Paul Pierce</span> leads the Celtics with 11 points while <span>Ray Allen</span>, <span>Rajon Rondo</span> and Jermaine O'Neal all have six. <span>Kevin Garnett</span> finished the half with four points and five boards. </p>
<p><span style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><i style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">For more on this game Thunder fans should head over to <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #232e80; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://www.welcometoloudcity.com/" target="_blank">Welcome To Loud City</a></i><i style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"> and Celtics fans should check out <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #232e80; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://www.celticsblog.com/" target="_blank">Celtics Blog</a></i><i style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">. For more news and analysis on the NBA head over to <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #232e80; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://kansascity.sbnation.com/2012/1/nba">SB Nation's NBA page</a>.</i></span></p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/2012/1/16/2712334/thunder-vs-celtics-2012-scoreKris Willis2012-01-16T17:17:24-06:002012-01-16T17:17:24-06:00Thunder Vs. Celtics: The Kendrick Perkins Reunion, Odds And Game Info
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/exbUQvHgNjCYGioT7IQoM5ZwogU=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828121/large_kansascity.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>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.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Oklahoma City Thunder</a> will <a href="http://www.welcometoloudcity.com/2012/1/16/2710793/oklahoma-city-thunder-at-boston-celtics-game-14-preview-polar">make their first trip</a> to the TD Banknorth Garden on Monday night as they prepare to face off against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">Boston Celtics</a>. For one member of the Thunder squad, this will be a reunion of sorts.</p>
<p><span>Kendrick Perkins</span> will make his first visit to the only team he'd ever played for in the NBA on Monday night, and it could make for an interesting scene to see <span>Kevin Garnett</span>, <span>Paul Pierce</span>, <span>Ray Allen</span>, <span>Rajon Rondo</span> and even <a target="_blank" href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nba/SIG=13f12nd7q/*http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=sportsxchange-000537614_perks-back-in-beantown-as-thunder-visit-celts">coach Doc Rivers as they reunite</a> with their former center.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"That will be tough for me, that will be different," Rivers told reporters after his team's loss to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.indycornrows.com/">Pacers</a> on Saturday. "Perk's a Celtic—I don't give a crap what uniform he has on, he's a Celtic for life. And he knows that."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The 11-2 Thunder will tip-off versus the 4-7 Celtics at 7:00 p.m. Monday night.</p>
<p><b>Game date/time:</b> Monday, January 16, 7:00 p.m. CT</p>
<p><b>Location:</b> The Toronto-Dominion Banknorth Garden, Boston, Massachusetts</p>
<p><b>TV:</b> TNT</p>
<p><b>Radio:</b> WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1), WEEI Sportsradio 93.7 FM/850 AM</p>
<p><b>Online Streaming:</b> NBA League Pass Broadband</p>
<p><b>Odds:</b> Thunder -3, Over/Under 186</p>
<p><b><i>For more on this game Thunder fans should head over to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.welcometoloudcity.com">Welcome To Loud City</a></i><i> and Celtics fans should check out <a target="_blank" href="http://www.celticsblog.com">Celtics Blog</a></i><i>. For more news and analysis on the NBA head over to <a href="../../nba">SB Nation's NBA page</a>. </i></b></p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/thunder/2012/1/16/2712072/thunder-vs-celtics-time-tv-info-radio-odds-and-the-kendrick-perkinsEddie Maisonet2012-01-16T12:31:44-06:002012-01-16T12:31:44-06:00Thunder Vs. Celtics: Game Preview, TV Info And More
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/exbUQvHgNjCYGioT7IQoM5ZwogU=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828121/large_kansascity.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>Monday's game is former Celtic Kendrick Perkins first time playing in Boston since the Thunder acquired him at the trade deadline last season.</p> <p>A surging <a href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Oklahoma City Thunder</a> team, winners of seven straight, head to Boston for a nationally televised contest against the struggling <a href="https://www.celticsblog.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Boston Celtics</a> in what sure's to be an emotional game for Thunder center <span>Kendrick Perkins</span>.</p>
<p>Perkins was originally drafted by Boston and spent the first seven-and-a-half years of his NBA career there, helping the Celtics win the 2008 NBA Finals before tearing his knee in Game 6 of the 2010 Finals and being shipped out to Oklahoma City in last season's trade deadline.</p>
<p>Monday's game marks his first return to Boston since the trade. The main player the Celtics received back, <span>Jeff Green</span>, will miss the entire season after a pre-season physical revealed he had a heart problem that needed surgery.</p>
<p>The Thunder's athleticism should be a huge challenge for the Celtics, as Oklahoma City has younger and more athletic players at nearly every position.</p>
<p>The one exception is at the point guard slot, where Boston All-Star <span>Rajon Rondo</span> will be matched up with <span>Russell Westbrook</span>. Westbrook has been criticized for taking games against fellow elite PG's too personally, and he'll have to be careful not to lose his head against Rondo, notorious for using any trick in the book to get an edge.</p>
<p>The 7:00 PM game will be televised nationally on TNT.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Thunder, head over to<a href="http://www.welcometoloudcity.com/"> Welcome To Loud City</a> while <a href="http://www.celticsblog.com/">CelticsBlog</a> is one of the best destinations for NBA analysis anywhere on the interwebs.</i></p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/thunder/2012/1/16/2711361/oklahoma-city-vs-boston-game-preview-tv-info-and-moreJonathan Tjarks