Recap: Charlotte vs. Oklahoma City
Sports Network | December 03, 2008
Charlotte, NC (Sports Network) - Emeka Okafor had a season-high 25 points to go with 13 rebounds to lead Charlotte to a 103-97 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Gerald Wallace added 21 points and Jason Richardson posted 18 points, moving over 10,000 for his career, as the Bobcats won back-to-back games for the first time this season. Sean May ended with 10 points and 11 rebounds, while Raymond Felton had 12 assists for the Bobcats.
Kevin Durant had 24 points for the Thunder, who fell to a paltry 2-17 this season. Jeff Green tallied 18 points and Joe Smith scored 13 for Oklahoma City, which lost despite shooting 54.5 percent from the field. The downfall for the Thunder was 19 turnovers and a horrid 18-of-28 performance at the foul line.
One free throw from Russell Westbrook brought the Thunder within 85-83 with nearly seven minutes left in the game, but the Bobcats came back with the next seven points, capped by a Richardson bucket.
Oklahoma City never made it a one-possession game again. Durant's three-ball from the right corner with 24.2 seconds left had the visitors within 102-97, but the Thunder missed on a chance to get closer when Wallace blocked Westbrook's layup attempt.
The Bobcats led 24-21 after one quarter and were ahead 49-45 at the half. Charlotte finished the second on a 15-5 spurt.
Oklahoma City edged in front early in the third, but the Thunder were behind 78-72 going to the fourth.
Charlotte has won three straight meetings...The Bobcats are 7-1 this season when scoring at least 90 points...D.J. Augustin had 10 points for Charlotte...Earl Watson tallied 11 assists for the Thunder...Chris Wilcox scored 12 before fouling out for Oklahoma City, and Westbrook scored 10.
