One second quarter swoon, missed free throws and some timely possessions on both ends of the floor made all the difference in this one, which was a tightly contested, physical battle for all 48 minutes.
The Thunder and Sixers went to battle again on Monday and for most of the game it looked a lot like the November 15 clash when the Thunder won 127-119 in overtime. Each possession dripped with meaning and the lead changed nine times with seven ties in the first half alone.
To end the second quarter though, the Thunder had a lapse in its offensive tempo and the 76ers made OKC pay on defense.