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Westbrook, Thunder edge Sixers

Nov 11, 2010 - 5:52 AM Oklahoma City, OK (Sports Network) - Russell Westbrook put up 31 points to go with 12 assists and Kevin Durant added a 31-point night as well, as the Oklahoma City Thunder held off the Philadelphia 76ers, 109-103.

Serge Ibaka had 12 points and seven rebounds for the Thunder, who had lost three of four coming in. Oklahoma City made all but two of its 37 free throw attempts.

"It's always good to win the close games," Thunder head coach Scott Brooks said. "We're getting valuable experience. Our guys are improving every day."

Jrue Holiday, Elton Brand and Jodie Meeks each chipped in 17 points for Philadelphia, which was coming off a road win in New York on Sunday.

The Sixers scored the first six points of the final stanza and got as close as 97-94 on a Meeks three-pointer with 3:36 to play.

After trading buckets, the Thunder came out of a timeout with one second left on the shot clock. Westbrook was somehow left open under the basket for an easy put in for a 101-96 lead with 2:33 to go.

A series of unsuccessful possessions preceded Holiday's 1-for-2 showing at the foul line with a minute on the clock.

Durant answered at the other end, taking rookie Evan Turner off the dribble and laying in a nifty baseline scoop while being fouled. The free throw made it 104-97 with 44 seconds to go, and the Thunder held on from there.

"We just have to be better in those crucial situations," Sixers head coach Doug Collins said. "We're just trying to learn."

A offense-filled first quarter saw the Thunder take a 32-28 lead, and a similar second frame ended with the hosts holding a 59-51 advantage.

Westbrook's three-point play capped an 8-0 run for a 79-66 cushion with just over five minutes to go in the third, which ended with Oklahoma City holding an 85-74 lead.

Game Notes

The Sixers' Andre Iguodala missed a second straight game due to a strained right Achilles tendon. Turner started in his place and ended with 15 points and eight rebounds...Philadelphia's Lou Williams also suffered a shoulder injury in the loss...The Thunder have won four straight in the series.