The Oklahoma City Thunder extended their lead over the Orlando Magic to 18 points in the third quarter of their Christmas night opener. MVP candidate Kevin Durant has 22 points through the first three quarters, leading an OKC team that is absolutely on fire from behind the arc. The Thunder are shooting 58% from the floor and 47% from three as they built a comfortable Christmas day lead.
Dwight Howard's Christmas day struggles have persisted so far in Oklahoma City. The All Star center has averaged just 7.7 points per game on Christmas, and after a quiet third quarter he has just nine points. He's been effective on the glass, grabbing 13 boards, but has simply been unable to get any offensive momentum going. Things got a little chippy at the end of the third, when Nazr Mohhamed was t'd up for shoving Howard off the ball.
Jameer Nelson had a solid third quarter and leads the Magic with 16 points but Orlando will need to get hot from deep to climb back into it with only 12 minutes to go.
For more news, analysis, and discussion on Orlando, visit SB Nation's Magic blog, Orlando Pinstriped Post. Visit SB Nation's Thunder blog, Welcome to Loud City, for the opponent's perspective. For news and notes from around the league, be sure to follow SB Nation's NBA hub.