Durant scores 32 points as Oklahoma City rolls
In an attempt to start new traditions as it starts over as a franchise, the Wizards have experimented this season with having fans at Verizon Center get out of their seats for the opening tip and remain standing until Washington scores its first points. But Monday’s start against Oklahoma City signaled it might be time to try something else.
Beginning with JaVale McGee’s underhanded airball layup, the Wizards barely found the rim with their first four shots (two blocks, two misses), falling into an immediate 8-0 hole and forcing coach Flip Saunders to call a 20-second timeout, which led to an arena-wide groan with 10:11 left in the first quarter, since most of the crowd of 17,921 was still standing. Those who sat down were pleaded with to get back up when the timeout ended.
Things never got better for the undermanned Wizards (16-49), who ended their final three-game homestand of the season by losing their fourth game in a row and 11th contest this season by at least 20 points, 116-89 to the Thunder.
“Partly it’s who we’re playing, and the number of bodies that we’re playing with,” Saunders said. “Going in, you knew it was going to be tough, and at this point, we’re very much outmanned physically.”
| Up next |
| Wizards at Bulls |
| When » Tuesday, 8 p.m. |
| Where » United Center, Chicago |
| TV » Comcast SportsNet |
Already missing starters Andray Blatche (shoulder) and Rashard Lewis (knee), Washington lost Josh Howard, in the second half — after he’d gone 0-for-6 from the field — when his surgically repaired left knee acted up again. Saunders said all three would be out for Tuesday’s visit to Chicago, again leaving John Wall (14 points, seven rebounds, five assists) with few offensive options.
Hometown hero Kevin Durant paced the Thunder (43-23) with an effortless 32 points, including five of six 3-pointers, and Russell Westbrook added 18 points, 12 assists and four steals. Neither played in the fourth quarter, but the game was over much earlier, rendering much of Wizards rookie Trevor Booker’s 14 points and career-high 13 rebounds and rookie Kevin Seraphin’s career-high 12 points to an extended pickup game.
Serge Ibaka had 10 points and eight blocks, and Daequan Cook also hit six 3-pointers for Oklahoma City while Washington was 0-for-9 from beyond the arc.
“The frustrating thing is the effort still has to be there regardless of who’s out there,” Wizards forward Maurice Evans said. “I think that’s just something that hasn’t been there for 48 minutes yet in a game. I think when we first got here, we lost a few good ones to some good teams. Here lately, we’ve really been getting outworked.”
