Orlando Magic Grades: Oklahoma City Thunder 114, Orlando Magic 106

Mar 29, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Terrence Ross (31) dunks against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 29, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Terrence Ross (31) dunks against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Orlando Magic looked good for 42 minutes, but Russell Westbrook showed why he is an MVP frontrunner at the end and lead the Thunder to a comeback.

149. Final. 106. 38. 114

As Russell Westbrook came over the mid-court line there was a moment of indecision for the Orlando Magic. Up three with time winding down and momentum heavily against them, the smart move was to foul. But coach Frank Vogel did not want his team to risk it. Westbrook could rise up too fast and make it a three-shot foul and send the game to overtime anyway.

Up three with time winding down and momentum heavily against them, the smart move was to foul. But coach Frank Vogel did not want his team to risk it. Westbrook could rise up too fast and make it a three-shot foul and send the game to overtime anyway.

None of that calculus matters. Not with Russell Westbrook on the other team. With a quick rise and a gasp from the crowd, he drained a 30-foot 3-pointer to force overtime, completing a 21-point comeback in the second half.

Everything else felt academic. The Oklahoma City Thunder pulled ahead in overtime — Westbrook putting the finishing touches on a 57-point, 13-rebound, 11-assist historic triple-double in an 114-106 overtime win over the Magic at Amway Center.

This game showed how badly the Magic need a franchise talent. Someoen who can take the reigns and win it in the end.

that is what the Thunder had and it willed them to a victory — and a Playoff berth.

In what started off as an ugly game for both teams, the Magic looked really good on both ends of the court. The ball was moving, the defense was engaged, and the Magic opened up a big lead.

The score was 93-79 with 6:18 left in the game before David Steele correctly predicted that it was Russell Westbrook time.

From that point, Westbrook scored 19 points in the rest of the quarter, including the 3-pointer to tie it, and then added seven more in overtime to help the Thunder take control of the game.

The Magic did not have the reliable, superstar scorer to counter Westbrook and his incredible 57-point triple double, the most points ever scored in a triple-double game.

Thus they blew the game at the end. A bunch of missed free throws certainly did not help, as well as a suddenly stagnant offense that relied on isolations rather than the strong ball movement they had earlier in the game.

Orlando gave it away as much as Westbrook took it.

Orlando Magic. BISMACK BIYOMBO. A-. <strong><a rel=. C

Orlando Magic. TERRENCE ROSS. B+. <strong><a rel=. G/F

C. Orlando Magic. NIKOLA VUCEVIC. C-. <strong><a rel=

6th West. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER. B. This game was pretty typical of the Oklahoma City Thunder. The role players did their jobs — they outrebounded the Magic, played solid defense and set strong screens. But it was all to set up the main guy.<p>Offensively, it was the Russell Westbrook show, with him taking 40 of the team’s 102 shots. Westbrook finished with a historic 57 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists. It was the most points scored in a triple-double in NBA history. It set a franchise record for points scored against the Magic. Westbrook took over in the fourth quarter, scoring 19 points and making three 3-pointers, including the one that forced overtime. It was his show.</p><p>At the end of the day, the Thunder came back from a 21-point deficit on the road and beat a team they should beat. The Amway Center crowd sure helped them build momentum, with loud cheers for the Thunder in the fourth quarter.</p>. 43-31