http://www.news.com.au/sport/basketball/oklahoma-city-thunder-edges-past-melbourne-united/news-story/16d2c6ac8e28ec63c7b77547e558bec4TWO late blocks in the final seconds saved Oklahoma City Thunder’s blushes against Melbourne United, ensuring the star-studded NBA side escaped with an 86-85 win in the sides’ pre-season exhibition game in America on Monday.
Josh Huestis was huge in D at the death to prevent United from claiming what would have been the first ever win by an Australian side over an NBA team.
Russell Westbrook in particular will have been nervous about eating humble pie had Melbourne been able to conjure up a late basket after the reigning NBA MVP said “I ain’t expecting s***” when asked what type of challenge the men from Down Under would present.
Even with the win he still had reason to feel sheepish.
Westbrook was far from his best, going at three-from-10 to finish with just nine points. He’d scored double figure points in 144 straight NBA games but couldn’t muster the same scoring efficiency against the team he didn’t rate at all before today.
Melbourne’s David Andersen was proud of how hard his troops made the NBA superstars work to earn their win.
“It was an exciting game, we tried to take it to them as much as we could,” he said after the game. “I thought we did a great job making it competitive all night.
“The NBL’s right up there in terms of competition.
“Making them have to play their starters, that’s what we wanted.”
United’s effort also impressed former Boomers captain Shane Heal and injured Melbourne star Chris Goulding, who took a swipe at those expecting a drubbing.
Paul George led from the front for Oklahoma, who was out-rebounded by Melbourne 50-45, scoring 22 points.
Melbourne’s Casper Ware had the job of containing Westbrook and he did it to perfection while also managing to rack up 20 points of his own along with six rebounds and three assists.
Josh Boone had 15 points and nine rebounds and Casey Prather ended with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
So impressive were the visitors Donovan had to give his starting players more minutes than many were expecting. George spent nearly 40 minutes on court, new recruit Carmelo Anthony played 31 minutes and Kiwi centre Steven Adams played 35.
United went on a 7-0 run to take a 30-27 lead into the second quarter but the Thunder regained a 49-44 advantage at halftime after a term in which both teams struggled with their shooting.
Melbourne refused to go away and stayed within four points at the end of the third quarter before opening up a three-point lead late in the fourth.
But the Thunder’s class showed in the end as it left Chesapeake Energy Arena with the victory.
