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Thunder battle Nuggets in Okie City

Apr 8, 2011 - 3:13 PM (Sports Network) - What was shaping up as a big game for Northwest Division rivals Denver and Oklahoma City now looms as more of a walk-through for a potential first round playoff series matchup.

The Thunder wrapped up the Northwest on Wednesday when Kevin Durant dropped 29 points and seven rebounds, as Oklahoma City edged the Los Angeles Clippers, 112-108.

Russell Westbrook poured in 26 points, seven assists and seven rebounds for the Thunder, who have won two straight and seven of the last nine, including a huge victory earlier this week in Denver. Serge Ibaka added 15 points and eight rebounds in the win.

"Everyone chipped in on the defensive end and we got a good win," Durant said.

Denver bounced back from its setback to Oklahoma City in the Rockies by downing the third-seed in the West on Wednesday. J.R. Smith took his turn leading the balanced Nuggets in scoring, tallying 23 points off the bench in that one, as Denver edged Dallas, 104-96, in Big D.

"I thought J.R. had a great game, especially in the second half," said Nuggets head coach George Karl.

Kenyon Martin posted 18 points and six rebounds, Wilson Chandler added 16 points, while Nene contributed nine points and 15 rebounds for the Nuggets, who won their third straight over the Mavericks and sit in fifth place in the Western Conference standings, 2 1/2 games up on Portland with four games remaining.

A Denver win tonight would virtually seal the West's fifth seed and put the Nuggets in place to begin the playoffs against the Thunder, although Oklahoma City is now just a game back of the Mavericks for the third spot.

The Nuggets are a solid 16-5 since dealing superstar Carmelo Anthony, third best in the NBA over that span with only Chicago and the Los Angeles Lakers ahead of them.

The Thunder held a precarious three-game edge on the Nuggets on Tuesday when the two teams met in the Pepsi Center. Durant poured in 32 points in that one, lifting Oklahoma City to a 101-94 victory. Overall, the Thunder have taken two of three from Denver this season.