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West-leading Thunder roll over Pistons

Jan 24, 2012 - 5:27 AM Oklahoma City, OK (Sports Network) - James Harden, Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant combined to score 68 of Oklahoma City's points, as the Western Conference-leading Thunder dominated the lowly Detroit Pistons, 99-79, on Monday.

Harden and Westbrook each donated 24 points for the Thunder, who are off to the franchise's best start (14-3) since the Seattle SuperSonics opened 14-3 in 2004-05. Durant added 20 points.

Oklahoma City, which shot 53.2 percent from the field, improved to 7-1 at home this season.

Even with so many guys contributing on offense, Durant said it was his team's best defensive effort of the season.

"It was a good game for us," said Durant. "I think we came out there with a lot of intensity. Our coaches from the beginning did a great job of preparing us from the start this morning. We got a good win."

Brandon Knight ended with 13 points for the Pistons, who have lost 15 straight to Western Conference opponents on the road since a 100-94 triumph over Sacramento in November 2010.

Rodney Stuckey and Greg Monroe each tallied 12 points for Detroit, which fell to 4-14. Jonas Jerebko had 11 points.

Pistons coach Lawrence Frank also noted Oklahoma City's defense and complained about his team's effort.

"Look, we had nine shots within three feet. We missed them all," said Frank. "You have to give their defense credit but you have to get back. We didn't get back so when you look at the picture and you look at the film, there are times literally when we have two blue jerseys and they have four white under our basket and they still beat us down the floor.

"Now they have great speed and quickness but for us we just didn't do enough to make them play against a set defense."

Stuckey started the game with a jumper, but from that point on it was all Thunder. Holding an 11-8 edge with 7:44 to go, Oklahoma City closed the half on an 18-4 run. Harden had seven points during the burst to help give the home team a 29-12 lead after 12 minutes.

Oklahoma City shot 57.1 percent from the field in the first quarter, while limiting the Pistons to 16.7 percent shooting.

The Thunder continued to roll early in the second, scoring 10 of the period's first 12 points. Harden's three-pointer made it a 39-14 contest with 9:53 remaining.

Oklahoma City's margin grew to 56-24 on Westbrook's layup with 4 1/2 minutes left. It was a 60-33 game at the break, and the Thunder cruised to victory in the second half.

Game Notes

The Thunder have won six straight against the Pistons and have never lost to Detroit in Oklahoma City (4-0) since relocating from Seattle...Oklahoma City had 51 rebounds, compared to 38 for Detroit...The Pistons were without guards Ben Gordon (shoulder) and Will Bynum (foot)...Detroit shot 34.1 percent from the floor...The Thunder turned the ball over 19 times.