Thunder notebook: OKC's Kevin Martin shines in return to Houston

The Thunder's sixth man then responded by knocking down his first two shots, both 3-pointers, before scoring 19 points on 6-for-14 shooting in 24 minutes off the bench in Saturday's 124-94 win.

Though it was unclear why Martin was subject to such a reaction, he said his return to the Toyota Center was no big deal.

“It's not really on the same level as James (returning to Oklahoma City) because I was only here for a couple of years,” Martin said. “It's more like Sacramento would be it for me. That's where my emotional attachment is. But it's always good just to come back here and play in front of people that supported you the past couple of years.”

One reason Martin didn't feel much of an emotional pull is because the Rockets have gone through an extreme makeover since Martin played in Houston. Chandler Parsons and Patrick Patterson are the lone players remaining from Martin's final year last season. And Patterson spent much of his time in the D-League.

But Martin did say he still felt comfortable inside the Toyota Center, perhaps explaining how he got off to such a hot start.

“I had a lot of big nights in here,” Martin said, laughing.

DURANT, PERKINS HONOR GUTHRIE-AREA 3-YEAR-OLD

Kevin Durant and Kendrick Perkins both penned messages on their game shoes Saturday night to honor a Guthrie-area 3-year-old who accidentally shot and killed himself.