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Thunder host Warriors in OKC

Mar 29, 2011 - 2:54 PM (Sports Network) - With a second straight postseason berth assured, the Oklahoma City Thunder will now attempt to inch closer to a Northwest Division title when they finish up a six-game homestand this evening against the Golden State Warriors.

The Thunder, who lead Denver by 4 1/2 games in the Northwest with 10 games to play, are currently the fourth seed in the Western Conference playoff picture and clinched a postseason spot with a 99-90 win over Portland on Sunday.

Russell Westbrook hit a game-sealing three-pointer late in the fourth quarter of that one as Oklahoma City overcame a 40-point effort from the Blazers' Gerald Wallace.

"It was a good win, I thought it was a physical battle," Thunder coach Scott Brooks said. "(Westbrook) hit some big shots and we got some important stops."

Westbrook finished with 28 points, seven rebounds and seven assists for the Thunder, who improved to 4-1 on their homestand. Kevin Durant scored 21 points but made just 5-of-18 shots, while Serge Ibaka had 18 points and eight rebounds.

Oklahoma City, which hasn't won a division title since it was located in Seattle back in 2004-05, is also 6-1 since Kendrick Perkins made his debut with the team on March 14 at Washington. Perkins was acquired from Boston before the trade deadline.

The Warriors, meanwhile, have won two straight but will miss the postseason dance for the 16th time in 17 seasons. Monta Ellis finished with 37 points and 13 assists on Sunday as Golden State topped the Wizards, 114-104, sending Washington to another road loss.

David Lee scored 33 points with 12 rebounds and Dorell Wright posted 19 points for Golden State, which has won the consecutive games on the heels of a six- game skid.

"I think this young man is committed to turning this franchise around," Warriors coach Keith Smart said of Ellis. "I really believe that he is doing everything he can to put us in the right position with his play...to move us in the right direction."

Washington is now 1-35 on the road and is endanger of matching the 1990-91 Sacramento Kings for lowest road win total in a season (1-40).

"We were trying to wear them down in the first five minutes of the game but [they] didn't go that way," Ellis said. "So we had to adjust in the second half and we stepped it up when we needed to and came out with the win."

These two teams have split a pair of meetings so far this season with each holding serve on its home floor.