2013 NBA Playoffs: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Houston Rockets Game 2: Halftime Recap
By John Adair
In Game 1, the Oklahoma Thunder leaned on the usual suspects, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, in route to a blow out win. Westbrook nearly notched a triple-double, just two rebounds shy, and Durant led the team in scoring with 24 points. Serge Ibaka and Kevin Martin added 17 and 16 respectively.
James Harden struggled for the Rockets in his return to Oklahoma City. Once the third option on the Thunder, he has quickly become a superstar in Houston. The beard didn’t scare anyone in Game 1. While Harden did have 20 points, he was inefficient offensively, shooting just 6-of-19. Harden was the only starter in double-digits for the Rockets.
At halftime in Game 2, the Thunder lead just 57-55. Durant leads all scorers with 21 on 8-of-15 shooting through the first 24 minutes.
Houston has dominated the glass, outrebounding the Thunder 28-16. Patrick Beverly was inserted into the starting line-up by Kevin McHale, and it seems as though he made the right decision. Beverly has 9 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists for the Rockets. Harden has added 17 thus far, and Chandler Parsons has 12 of his own. Greg Smith has provided quality minutes off the bench, scoring 6 points and grabbing 5 rebounds in just 12 minutes of work.
Russell Westrbrook has 13 points on 4-of-8 shooting, and Thabo Sefolosha has connected on both of his shots for 6 points, along with 3 rebounds and 2 assists for the Thunder.