The first half ended with the Thunder unable to close the gap. When both teams brought back their main lineups in the second quarter, the Knicks' outside shooting caught fire. Three-pointers rained down, and the lead grew. At halftime, the score stood at 47-63, the Knicks ahead by 16 points.
This outcome surprised commentator Charles Barkley. Before the game, he and Kenny Smith, despite their usual disagreements, had predicted a close match, with neither team leading by more than 5 points. They couldn't decide who'd be ahead, but a 16-point Knicks lead was unthinkable. The Thunder's strength suggested a tighter game, but basketball isn't just about rosters. Human factors—mood, mistakes, and momentum—shape outcomes. Without them, there'd be no Black Eight miracles in NBA history.
In the third quarter, Lian Dao rested on the bench, and Jrue Holiday ran the offense. Kevin Durant stayed on for the Thunder, eager to chase points. Durant's competitive fire burned bright, even with his occasional prickly attitude. Unlike Westbrook, whose shooting remained shaky, Durant improved every year. His scoring was relentless, and his progress outpaced his teammate's.
Durant showcased his skill, torching Danilo Gallinari. His long wingspan made his jumper unstoppable, and his slight fadeaway added another layer of difficulty. After he sank another three-pointer from beyond the arc, Mike D'Antoni leaped up, unable to sit still.
The score tightened to 69-73, the Knicks' lead down to four points.
Lian Dao returned, catching a pass from Holiday, but his three-pointer rimmed out. After a long break, his rhythm was off, a common issue. Serge Ibaka grabbed the rebound and passed to Westbrook, who raced for a one-stop dunk, slamming the ball with force.
The Knicks kept feeding Lian Dao. Wilson Chandler set a pick-and-roll, creating a mismatch. Lian Dao launched a three-pointer, sensing it was good as it left his fingers. He turned away, confident, before the ball even reached the hoop.
Swish!
Thunder fans booed, especially the men, irked by Lian Dao's bold move. Some female fans, though, cheered loudly, charmed by his suave turn. One male fan, nudged by his girlfriend, joined the applause reluctantly, his face sour. The Ford Center buzzed with mixed reactions, a blend of jeers and admiration.
Durant, feeling unstoppable, answered with a three-pointer, shrugging off tight defense. Both teams traded shots, their defenses intense. The physical play led to mistakes, especially in the final minute. The Thunder capitalized on two Knicks' errors, stealing the lead.
With two seconds left, the Knicks had one chance. The Thunder guarded against a long pass, so Lian Dao took a normal inbounds. Then, a bold idea struck. In a past life, he'd seen Stephen Curry sink a shot from inside the Spurs' three-point line. Mimicking that, Lian Dao heaved the ball from deep inside the Thunder's half.
Durant raised a hand, more symbolic than serious, doubting the shot's chance. No one believed it would go—not even Lian Dao. But whether by luck or skill honed like Curry's, the ball soared in a high arc, struck the backboard's small box, and bounced into the net.
The arena went silent. Fans gaped, mouths wide. Holiday rubbed his eyes, then rushed to hug Lian Dao, shouting in disbelief. D'Antoni stood, clapping for his star pupil. The jumbotron replayed the shot, leaving the crowd stunned.
Score: 82-84, Knicks were up by two after three quarters.
Durant, bent over, stared at the replay, unmoving. He glanced at Lian Dao, his expression unreadable. James Harden, on the bench, sat frozen, eyes wide, mouth open, watching the screen in awe.
In the fourth quarter, the Thunder faltered. Durant's stamina, a known weakness, betrayed him. He shot 1-for-6 in the first five minutes, his shots lacking zip. The Knicks pounced, hitting a 9-4 run to pull ahead.
Scott Brooks wanted to rest Durant but lacked a scorer to fill his shoes. He subbed in James Harden, hoping for a boost. The Knicks targeted Harden, exploiting his four fouls. Scared of fouling out, Harden played soft, becoming a defensive sieve.
The Knicks stretched the lead to 15 points. Brooks surrendered, pulling Durant, Westbrook, and Jeff Green, leaving Harden with the bench. D'Antoni swapped out his starters during a dead ball.
Harden fought back, sinking three mid-range shots, sparking an 8-2 Thunder run. D'Antoni tensed, but the clock saved the Knicks.
Final score: 100-107, Knicks win.
Lian Dao led with 47 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists, and 3 steals, nearly a triple-double, securing the victory. Durant had 38 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal but couldn't outshine Lian Dao. Staring at the stats, Durant frowned, the scoring title slipping further. He needed to split offensive duties with Westbrook.
After the game, Durant shook Lian Dao's hand, his grip half-hearted. Harden followed, his eyes showing respect and defeat. Lian Dao's long shot and dominance had crushed his draft-year rivalry.
The next day, the Knicks traveled to Philadelphia. After resting at their hotel, they faced the 76ers at Wachovia Center. The game drew buzz, fueled by Allen Iverson's return to Philly. His presence packed the arena, boosting attendance despite the 76ers' 11-26 record, second-worst in the East.
The spotlight, though, fell on Jrue Holiday. Against his old team, he erupted for 32 points and 11 assists, a double-double. In the fourth quarter, Holiday's scoring burst stopped the 76ers' rally cold. Philly fans felt torn. They couldn't hate Holiday, a former draft pick, but his brilliance sank their team. The Wachovia Center hummed with conflicted cheers, a bittersweet homecoming for Holiday.