Thunder overwhelm Sixers in fourth quarter to continue hot streak

The first matchup of the season between the Sixers (24-22) and the Thunder (30-20) was as chippy as you're possibly going to get especially after going to three overtime periods.

 

The second matchup on Sunday night was just as crazy as the first one, continuing rivalries, and continuing one of the more competitive season series we've seen in the NBA this season, with OKC rolling to their eighth straight win, a 122-112 statement over Philadelphia.

 

The Sixers played an absolutely competitive and successful first half, capitalizing on dunks and making moments that people will remember. The Joel Embiid-Russell Westbrook beef from the first matchup of the year carried over as the pair traded trademark dunks and serious stares early on.

The Sixers went into halftime holding onto a one-point lead over the Thunder, 58-57. 

 

But as the second half progressed, it was obvious that the Thunder offense was clicking on all cylinders and didn't plan on stopping anytime soon.

 

Between Westbrook, Paul George, and Carmelo Anthony, the Thunder were dominant all game long, and the better team pulled out the victory.

 

For a team that usually puts up high amounts of costly turnovers, the Sixers just didn't have that issue on Sunday night. The team only committed 14 turnovers as a whole, showing that the loss wasn't because they gave up the ball one too many times. The Thunder just outplayed the team at the end, after a stellar second half of play.

 

Russell Westbrook scored a game-high 37 points with 14 assists, nine rebounds, and two steals. Paul George ended up shooting 9-of-17 from the field, finishing with 31 points, four boards, four assists, and four steals. Carmelo Anthony added 16 points, Steven Adams with 20 points and 13 rebounds.

 

Former Sixer Jerami Grant played very well off the bench with 11 points, and was a +7 on the floor.

 

The Sixers played an efficient offensive game, shooting 50% from the field as a team (38-76). Joel Embiid finished with 27 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, and two blocks. Ben Simmons added 22 points, seven assists, and four boards. Dario Saric had 16 points and was 3-of-5 from behind the arc. Robert Covington struggled shooting the ball once again, scoring 11 points, but went 3-of-11 from the field, 3-of-9 from downtown.

 

While the Sixers may have lost the game, they still cling to a 24-22 record in the Eastern Conference, winning 10 of their last 14 games.

 

The Thunder's victory was their eighth straight, coming one day removed from losing their guard Andre Roberson to a season-ending ruptured patellar-tendon injury.