SB Nation Kansas City - Thunder Vs. Kings: OKC Rallies In Fourth Quarter For 118-110 Victoryhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48935/kc-fave.png2012-04-24T21:44:13-05:00http://kansascity.sbnation.com/rss/stream/27365592012-04-24T21:44:13-05:002012-04-24T21:44:13-05:00Thunder Vs. Kings Final Score: OKC Rallies In Fourth Quarter For 118-110 Victory
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<p>The <a href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Thunder</a> rebounded from Sunday's double-overtime loss to the <a href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Los Angeles Lakers</a> with a 118-110 win over the <a href="https://www.sactownroyalty.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Sacramento Kings</a> in Oklahoma City on Tuesday night.</p>
<p>With the No. 2 seed already secured, the Thunder didn't play their stars as much as normal. <span>Kevin Durant</span> played 32 minutes and had 32 points and nine rebounds, going 15-for-16 from the free-throw line. <span>Russell Westbrook</span> played 27 minutes and had 13 points, eight rebounds and six assists, but shot 4-for-13 after struggling to make buckets on Sunday.</p>
<p>Oklahoma City had six players score in double-figures, including <span>Daequan Cook</span> (19), <span>Derek Fisher</span> (11), <span>Thabo Sefolosha</span> (11) and <span>Kendrick Perkins</span> (10). The Thunder trailed by four points after three quarters and by one with less than seven minutes left, but Oklahoma City finished the game on a 22-13 run for the win.</p>
<p><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; line-height: 17px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">Read more about the Thunder at <a href="http://welcomtoloudcity.com/" 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;">Welcome to Loud City</a>. For more on the Kings, visit <a href="http://www.sactownroyalty.com/" 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;">Sactown Royalty</a>.</i></p>
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https://kansascity.sbnation.com/oklahoma-city-thunder/2012/4/24/2973228/thunder-vs-kings-final-score-okc-rallies-in-fourth-quarter-for-118Chris Vannini2012-04-24T20:17:26-05:002012-04-24T20:17:26-05:00Thunder Vs. Kings Score Update: OKC Trails Sacramento 59-57 At Halftime
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<p>Playing for the first time since Sunday's double-overtime loss to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Los Angeles Lakers</a>, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Thunder</a> continue to struggle, trailing the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.sactownroyalty.com/">Kings</a> 59-57 at halftime in Oklahoma City.</p>
<p>But locked into the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, the Thunder might be better off making sure the team is as healthy as possible. <span>Kevin Durant</span> has 20 points in 19 minutes. <span>Russell Westbrook</span> has 11 points in 18 minutes, shooting 3-for-11 from the floor. We'll see how much they play in the second half. </p>
<p><span>Kendrick Perkins</span> has 10 points and five rebounds. The issue for OKC has been the defense. The Kings are shooting 58.1 percent from the floor. <span>DeMarcus Cousins</span> leads Sacramento with 16 points. The Thunder are 25-6 at home this season.</p>
<p>Thunder guard <span>James Harden</span> <a href="http://kansascity.sbnation.com/oklahoma-city-thunder/2012/4/22/2968174/james-harden-injury-update-metta-world-peace-gives-thunder-guard" target="_blank">was not clear to play tonight</a> after taking an elbow to the head from <span>Metta World Peace</span> in Sunday's game. World Peace was suspended by the NBA for seven games today. </p>
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<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: bottom; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 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; line-height: 17px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">Read more about the Thunder at <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://welcomtoloudcity.com/">Welcome to Loud City</a>. For more on the Kings, visit <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://www.sactownroyalty.com/">Sactown Royalty</a>.</i></p>
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https://kansascity.sbnation.com/oklahoma-city-thunder/2012/4/24/2973008/thunder-vs-kings-score-update-okc-trails-sacramento-59-57-at-halftimeChris Vannini2012-04-24T16:09:20-05:002012-04-24T16:09:20-05:00Oklahoma City Thunder's Guard-Heavy Line-Up Could Cost Them In NBA Playoffs
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Oklahoma City Thunder</a> have been tanking at the wrong time lately. The double-overtime loss on Sunday night to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Los Angeles Lakers</a> was just the latest game where they were unable to beat a playoff caliber opponent, and the team's momentum that took them to the top of the Western Conference seems nowhere to be found. As they get ready for tonight's game against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.sactownroyalty.com/">Sacramento Kings</a>, ESPN's Austin Link writes that the team might not have the right line-up to make it all the way to the finals due to the physical nature of the game. </p>
<p><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/7845698/nba-underperforming-western-conference-playoff-teams%20%20" target="_blank">Link writes</a>, "As a young, guard-oriented offensive juggernaut, the Thunder are one of the NBA's most exciting teams. Unfortunately for them those same traits make them more vulnerable in the playoffs. The Thunder made a move last year that could have remedied their struggles down low, bringing in <span>Kendrick Perkins</span> at the trade deadline. While he was a productive center with Boston, he has struggled mightily this season, putting up a minuscule 8.6 PER (league average is 15.0). Unless he steps up in the playoffs, <span>Kevin Durant's</span> crew might be destined to once again end its season just short of the Finals."</p>
<p>The incredible athleticism and young talent on the team is something most teams in the NBA would love to have, but there's no denying the smart, physical nature of the playoffs and OKC will have to step up their game. Then again, so will everyone else.</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; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">Read more about the Thunder at <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://welcomtoloudcity.com/">Welcome to Loud City</a>. For more on the Kings, visit<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://www.sactownroyalty.com/">Sactown Royalty</a>.</i></p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/oklahoma-city-thunder/2012/4/24/2972523/oklahoma-city-thunders-guard-heavy-line-up-could-cost-them-in-nbaMatt Conner2012-04-24T07:30:40-05:002012-04-24T07:30:40-05:00Thunder Vs. Kings: Game Preview, TV Info And More
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<img alt="Apr 14, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA: Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) drives to the basket in the first half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-US PRESSWIRE" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/OEYvsC020r7CrTggbD-ZmMuNFxI=/0x183:500x516/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/6494646/20120414_jel_aj5_230.jpg" />
<figcaption>Apr 14, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA: Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) drives to the basket in the first half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>The Oklahoma City Thunder host the Sacramento Kings Tuesday. </p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Oklahoma City Thunder</a> take the court for the first time since losing to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Los Angeles Lakers</a> over the weekend <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2012/4/22/2966737/lakers-vs-thunder-final-score-recap-2012">in what seemed like a precursor to NBA playoff action</a>. Oklahoma City returns home Tuesday to face the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.sactownroyalty.com/">Sacramento Kings</a> in the next-to-last game of the regular season. </p>
<p>It could benefit the Thunder to rest its stars, particularly <span>Kevin Durant</span> and <span>Russell Westbrook</span>, <a href="http://www.welcometoloudcity.com/2012/4/23/2970425/james-harden-listed-as-day-to-day-after-concussion">given what happened</a> to James Harden Sunday. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">San Antonio Spurs</a> have already secured the No. 1 spot in the Western Conference Playoffs. </p>
<p>The Kings are 21-43, the worst record in the conference aside from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/new-orleans-hornets">New Orleans Hornets</a>. </p>
<p>Here is a look at the game schedule and television information for the Thunder-Kings game:</p>
<p>Date/Time: Tuesday, April 24, 7 p.m. CDT</p>
<p>Location: Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, OK</p>
<p>TV: Fox Sports Oklahoma </p>
<p><i>Read more about the Thunder at <a href="http://welcomtoloudcity.com">Welcome to Loud City</a>. For more on the Kings, visit <a href="http://www.sactownroyalty.com/">Sactown Royalty</a>. </i></p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/oklahoma-city-thunder/2012/4/24/2971155/thunder-vs-kings-game-preview-tv-infoBrandon Scott