Basket-ball NBA: Thabo Sefolosha and Thunder end 2013 on a losing note

home_blazers_hp_131231Thunder conceded a second home defeat in the NBA. And yet they had an advantage of 13 points in the second half. The Thunder bowed 98-94 to the Portland Trail Blazers, who concluded the year in style by removing this shock at the top of the Western Conference.

Portland owe their victory to a commendable performance of LaMarcus Aldridge, author of a double-double with 25 points and 14 rebounds.

Kevin Durant (Oklahoma) has long been the great man of the evening, with 27 points and 14 rebounds. But the best scorer of the league did not record a point in the last quarter. He had the greatest difficulty in extracting the defense of Nicolas Batum in the “money time.” At 4 seconds to the buzzer, Durant missed a shot that would have allowed the Thunder to equalize 96-96.

Thabo Sefolosha could not provide the same offensive contribution as during the last two meetings. Aligned for 28 minutes, the Vaudois could only throw three shots to up 4 points. He picked up five rebounds.

This event has also been marked by the sixth consecutive defeat of Lakers, beaten 94-79 by Milwaukee in their den of Staples Center. With a record of 13 wins with 19 losses, the Lakers will have all the trouble in the world to climb into play-off.

The day before, LeBron James, on the day of his 29 years, had propelled Miami to victory at Denver (97-94) by recording 26 points and 10 assists.

Results of Tuesday games:

Oklahoma City Thunder (with Sefolosha / 4 pts, 5 rebounds) – Portland Trail Blazers 94-98.

Los Angeles Lakers – Milwaukee Bucks 79-94.

Boston Celtics – Atlanta Hawks 91-92.

Indiana Pacers – Cleveland Cavaliers 91-76.

Orlando Magic – Golden State Warriors 81-94.

Houston Rockets – Sacramento Kings 196-110.

San Antonio Spurs – Brooklyn Nets 113-92.

Chicago Bulls – Toronto Raptors 79-85.


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