Melbourne United push Oklahoma City Thunder all the way

Oklahoma City Thunder needed a big defensive stand to hold off Melbourne United.

Oklahoma’s Russell Westbrook, left, goes up against Melborune United’s Casey Prather. Picture: Getty Images

Oklahoma City Thunder needed a big defensive stand to hold off Melbourne United in their NBA v NBL exhibition match in Oklahoma.

Josh Huestis pulled off two huge blocks in the final seconds to help the star-studded Thunder escape with an 86-85 win yesterday (AEDT). Huestis blocked Josh Boone’s shot out of bounds, then blocked Casey Prather’s shot to clinch the win.

Melbourne coach Dean Vickerman said he was proud of the way his team played against the All-Star trio of Russell Westbrook, Paul George and Carmelo Anthony. Melbourne withstood a run by the Thunder with their stars in the game in the third quarter and made it competitive down the stretch.

“I felt coming into the half that they were really going to try to make a run with their best group,” Vickerman said. “We weathered that storm, and they had to keep some of those best players coming back to win the game.”

Casper Ware Jr scored 20 points, Boone added 15 and Prather had 11 points and 10 rebounds for Melbourne, who also had to adjust to the time zone.

“I know most of the guys couldn’t really get a good sleeping pattern, including myself,” Prather said. “My legs are a bit fatigued, but once you come to a game like this, you know all the adrenalin going and the energy to get going, so you know, we really don’t feel it too much.” Oklahoma City’s stars shot poorly. George had 22 points on 5-for-17 shooting, Anthony scored 19 points on 6-for-19 shooting and Westbrook was limited to nine points, going 3 for 10.

“I was pretty impressed by the statistics that we held some people to,” Vickerman said.

“For us, because we’re a little bit smaller, we try to fight through everything, and I guess that maintained some pressure on them rather than when you switch, there’s a little more separation.

“To have the opportunity to play one of the best teams in the world and to know that our league can challenge those best teams in the world - it does a lot for our reputation in the league and it does a lot for our club’s reputation,” he said.

AP