Many of the sports world experts picked the Oklahoma City Thunder to win the West and the Miami Heat to win the East. With Oklahoma City dispatching of the Orlando Magic on Christmas, 97-89, it's easy to see why.
Even with Dwight Howard down low, the Magic lack perimeter shooting and it showed against the young guns of Oklahoma City led by small forward Kevin Durant with 30 points. Howard had 11 points and 15 boards with Thunder center Kendrick Perkins weighing down on him all night.
Magic power forward Ryan Anderson scored a team-high 25 points and point guard Jameer Nelson added 18, but the Thunder were too strong with point guard Russell Westbrook directing the fast break and scoring 14. James Harden threw in 19.
Orlando shot just 37 percent, 10 behind Oklahoma City.
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