• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers
• Game Tracker

Durant, Westbrook lead Thunder in rout of Bulls

Apr 1, 2012 - 10:52 PM Oklahoma City, OK (Sports Network) - Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook combined for 53 points in just three quarters of play as the Oklahoma City Thunder routed the Chicago Bulls, 92-78, on Sunday.

Westbrook netted 27 points on 10-of-18 shooting from the floor while Durant registered 26 points on 11-of-16 efficiency for the Thunder, who have won six straight and moved within a game of Chicago for the NBA's best record.

Oklahoma City also clinched a playoff berth.

"We played our best defense of the year," Oklahoma City head coach Scott Brooks said. "I like the way the guys got after the basketball. They challenged every pass, they challenged every shot."

Durant and Westbrook sat on the bench for the entire fourth quarter as Oklahoma City took a 29-point advantage into the final frame.

Playing without Derrick Rose for the 10th straight game due to a groin injury, the Bulls shot just 33.0 percent from the field. John Lucas led Chicago with 19 points.

"We were playing from behind from the start," Chicago head coach Tom Thibodeau said. "...They beat us in every facet of the game."

The Bulls fell to 14-6 this season without Rose in the lineup and 7-3 during his current absence.

Holding a 10-point halftime edge, the Thunder began the third quarter on an elongated 23-7 run to blow the game open.

Durant netted nine points, while Westbrook added seven during the surge as Oklahoma City took a commanding 72-46 advantage with 4:25 remaining in the stanza.

The highlight of the frame came on Westbrook's emphatic one-handed dunk.

From the right wing, Westbrook split a pair of Chicago defenders before taking off just shy of the restricted area and slamming the ball with authority over the outstretched arms of Omer Asik.

Durant's triple on Oklahoma City's ensuing possession gave the hosts an 80-51 advantage heading into the final frame.

Oklahoma City outscored Chicago 31-12 in the third.

The Thunder led by as many as 30 in the fourth, cruising to the easy win.

Oklahoma City took a 27-20 lead after one, and scored the final six points of the second staza for a 49-39 halftime lead.

Game Notes

Durant also had 10 rebounds and four assists...James Harden provided 11 points off the bench for the Thunder...Oklahoma City was 16-of-17 from the foul line...Chicago was 8-of-24 from beyond the arc...Durant and Westbrook combined for 32 points on 13-of-21 shooting from the floor in the first half.