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Thunder fend off Warriors in Durant's return

Dec 6, 2010 - 8:08 AM Oklahoma City, OK (Sports Network) - Kevin Durant returned from a two-game absence and scored 28 points as the Thunder fought off a late Golden State charge in a 114-109 victory at Oklahoma City Arena.

Durant, who was nursing a knee injury, made 11-of-12 from the line and added seven rebounds, and Russell Westbrook registered 19 points and 13 assists for the Thunder, who have won three of four.

Oklahoma City was coming off a 12-point loss to Toronto on Friday -- its first setback in the four games it's played without Durant this season.

"Coming back after a loss, it's always good to play with the energy it takes to win in this league and we did that," said Thunder head coach Scott Brooks.

Serge Ibaka added 19 points in a reserve role and Jeff Green scored 17 and grabbed eight boards in the victory.

Stephen Curry scored a game-high 39 and Monta Ellis added 29 for the Warriors, who have dropped three straight.

Dorell Wright recorded a double-double with 12 points and 11 boards and Reggie Williams added 11 points in the loss.

The Thunder were up by 20 points, 90-70, entering the fourth, but after a Curry jumper and three-point conversion inside nine minutes the Thunder lead was down to 96-83.

The Warriors continued chipping away at the Oklahoma City lead, and a Williams three-pointer at 3:39 made it a 104-94 contest. Golden State made it a two- possession game 2 1/2 minutes later with an Ellis driving layup.

Curry connected on his own driving layup after two Thunder free throws to cut the deficit to 109-104, with 40.5 ticks remaining, and after Durant made one- of-two from the line Ellis cut it to three with a deep triple.

Oklahoma City called a short timeout, and out of the break Green was sent to the line for two free throws. After making both the Warriors missed back-to- back three-pointers, but Williams finally connected on a reverse layup in the final seconds to make it a 112-109 game.

Durant made two fouls shots with 6.7 ticks remaining to account for the final margin.

Durant led Oklahoma City with nine points in the first quarter as the Thunder jumped out to a 32-17 lead.

The Thunder extended their lead to 23 midway through the second, but Curry scored 14 in the quarter to keep the game at a manageable 54-42 heading into the locker room.

Opening up the third a Westbrook jumper and three-point conversion extended the Thunder lead to 16 at 65-49. The Oklahoma City advantage fluctuated around 16 down the stretch until a Durant jumper and two Westbrook free throws in the final minute extended the lead to 90-70 heading into the final stanza.

Game Notes

James Harden scored 12 in a reserve role for the Thunder...Oklahoma City won the rebounding margin 47-44...The Thunder made 37-of-40 from the line, including 20-of-20 in the third...Golden State made 18-of-21 from the line.