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Westbrook dominates in third OT as Thunder take down Nets

Dec 2, 2010 - 7:13 AM Newark, NJ (Sports Network) - Russell Westbrook took over in the third overtime, scoring all 13 of Oklahoma City's points in the session en route to a memorable 123-120 victory over the New Jersey Nets.

Westbrook filled the box score with 38 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists as the Thunder won for the third time in four contests.

Kevin Durant sat out with a knee injury, and Jeff Green took over some of the scoring burden with 37 points, including three free throws to tie the game at the end of the second OT.

Jordan Farmar, starting in place of the injured Devin Harris, scored a career- high 28 points to go with nine assists for New Jersey, which has lost four of five.

"I think it will only build character amongst our guys," Farmar responded when asked about what can be gained from the loss. "It will make us stronger and bring us closer together. We'll remember these experiences and what we did wrong and how we can correct it down the stretch."

Anthony Morrow extended the game with a buzzer-beating three at the end of regulation and logged 25 points while Brook Lopez added 28 points and 11 rebounds in a losing cause.

The game featured 19 lead changes and 13 ties and saw several clutch shots come from both sides.

With two minutes remaining in regulation, Kris Humphries tipped in a Lopez miss for an 85-84 Nets lead, their first of the final frame.

New Jersey still led by one, 90-89, before Lopez fouled James Harden in the backcourt, leading to two successful free throws with 22.7 seconds showing.

Farmar's fadeaway at the foul line fell short, and Lopez nearly grabbed the rebound before Westbrook came from behind and picked his pocket.

Westbrook hit two free throws with 1.5 ticks left to seemingly seal it, 93-90, but just enough time was left for Morrow, who spotted up at the left wing, stepped between two defenders and hit a leaning three just before the buzzer sounded, dramatically tying the game.

With time winding down in the first OT and the game tied, 100-100, Farmar controlled the ball at the top of the key and waited until there was one second left to dish to Lopez along the right baseline, causing a rushed shot that fell well short.

Green's three-pointer midway through the second extra session provided Oklahoma City with a 107-104 lead, but Morrow countered with a jumper and Lopez gave the Nets the lead with a modified hook shot with 52 seconds left.

After Humphries blocked a driving Westbrook, the Nets turned the ball over with 16 seconds left.

Westbrook was again off the mark, pulling up short on a jumper before knocking his own rebound out of bounds.

Morrow calmly sank two free throws for a three-point game, 110-107, with 6.2 seconds left, but Stephen Graham fouled a three-point attempting Green with 4.6 showing, and Green tied the game by nailing all three.

Farmer quickly drove down the court, but his runner from the left baseline fell just off the mark, causing another five minutes of action.

It was back-and-forth in the third OT, with Westbrook's putback of his own miss creating a 118-117 lead with 1:27 left. Farmar's attempt in the lane rimmed out the next time down, and Westbrook crossed over Outlaw before challenging Lopez in the post, soaring over the seven-footer and banking in a shot while being fouled.

The free throw came with 51.5 seconds left for a 121-117 lead, though Farmar made things interesting once again by nailing a three with nine seconds left. Westbrook made two more from the line for a three-point edge, and Farmar threw away a baseline pass intended for Morrow to end the game.

"I'm glad we won the game," Oklahoma City head coach Scott Brooks said. "We made a lot of big plays, they made a lot of big plays. When you go to triple overtime, somebody, unfortunately has to lose."

Neither team led by double digits in a closely-played first half. The Nets were ahead 22-16 after the first quarter and 49-44 after 24 minutes of action.

The Thunder used a 9-0 run early in the third to jump in front and eventually held a 71-62 cushion at the end of three quarters.

Game Notes

Harris, nursing a left knee strain, will also miss Friday's game at Charlotte...Harden and Outlaw netted 16 points apiece for their receptive teams...Humphries grabbed 15 rebounds...Oklahoma City, which has won four straight in the series, is 10-1 in games decided by seven points or less.