Postgame 18: Hornets Get Stung

The Thunder handily beat the Hornets tonight, 100-79. 

It was a total team effort tonight for the Thunder, with all starters registering at least 5 rebounds, 4 starters registering an assist, 3 starters registering a steal, and all 5 starters registering a block. The bench also got into the theme of the night, with Nick Collison scoring 12 points with 3 rebounds and 3 steals and Kevin Martin with 19 points with 2 rebounds and 2 steals. The Thunder as a team rebounded, stole, and blocked well with 45  rebounds, 10 steals, and 12 blocks. Every Thunder player got minutes tonight, giving DeAndre Liggins,  Perry Jones III, and Reggie Jackson quality time to work on their game against another team. 

The Thunder starters shot well tonight across the board, with Kevin Durant scoring 20 points, Russell scoring 18, and Ibaka, Perkins, and Sefolosha scoring 5, 10, and 8 respectively. Thunder shot 50.6% in field goals, 43.8% percent from the arch and 76.5% from the line. The defense for the Thunder effectively shut down the Hornets, making New Orleans shoot 37% on field goals and 25% from the arch. They also shut down Greivis Vasquez for a second straight time and held the Hornets to just 3 players in double digits.