Rapid reaction: Thunder set defensive records in 114-69 domination of Charlotte

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Perry Jones, center, keeps the ball away from Charlotte Bobcats guard Ben Gordon (8) and forward Tyrus Thomas (12) during the second quarter of a preseason NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012. Oklahoma City won 120-98. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

By Anthony Slater – Aslater@opubco.com - @anthonyVslater

Oklahoma City breezed by Charlotte on Monday night, finishing off a 114-69 domination of the Bobcats with many of the Thunder starters resting the final 15 minutes. Here’s some rapid reaction:

Turning point

Hard to believe, but Charlotte actually had three leads in this game (2-0, 4-2 and 6-4). That was until Thabo Sefolosha hit a three with 6:03 left in the first quarter, giving OKC its first lead and sparking an unbelievable 75-19 mid-game run, stretching from the middle of the first quarter to the middle of the third.

It was over when…

…This year’s Bobcats team decided to play like last year’s Bobcats team. Except worse. I was expecting to see an improved club (Charlotte entered at 7-5, already equaling their win total from last season’s 7-59 disaster). But what arrived in OKC looked more like a Division II club. Give the Thunder credit, taking care of business early and resting late. But that performance by the Bobcats was historically bad.