Final
Durant powers Thunder over Warriors
Jan 28, 2012 - 6:50 AM Oakland, CA (Sports Network) - Kevin Durant's double-double of a season-high 37 points and 14 rebounds powered the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 120-109 victory over the Golden State Warriors Friday night.Russell Westbrook had a terrific all-around game with 28 points, 11 assists and seven steals for the Thunder, who own an NBA-best 16-3 record. Serge Ibaka also posted a double-double with a season-high 20 points and 12 rebounds, while James Harden contributed 19 points off the bench.
"Serge was big, the offensive rebounds and his baskets around the paint," Thunder coach Scott Brooks said. "He can guard small guys. That's the advantage that we do have. When we want to go with our big lineup, Serge can step out and guard smaller players because of his athletic ability and length he can cover three-point shooters."
Dorell Wright drained six shots from beyond the arc en route to a season-high 23 points and grabbed nine rebounds for Golden State, which has dropped four of its last five games. David Lee scored 19 points in defeat.
With 8:33 remaining in the fourth quarter, Klay Thompson's turnaround jumper trimmed the Warriors' deficit to 88-85. But Oklahoma City responded with a 12-1 surge, and Nick Collison completed a three-point play at the foul line to put the visitors up 111-96 with just over two minutes left.
"[The Thunder] scored 28 points in the last 5 1/2 minutes basically," Warriors coach Mark Jackson said. "They have a different motor. They're a different animal. We have to learn how to do that. We don't have the luxury to be able to turn it on when we want to. It's a good lesson for us."
Oklahoma City led by as many as 10 in the first quarter, but Golden State pulled even at 50 on a Monta Ellis free throw with 1:57 to play in the opening half. However, the Thunder closed out the second stanza on a 7-2 run, giving them the same five-point lead they owned after 12 minutes.
In the third quarter, Ellis hit a driving layup to draw the Warriors within one at 65-64. Oklahoma City, though, carried an 85-77 lead into the final frame.
Game Notes
Oklahoma City notched a season-high in points...Durant and Westbrook each committed seven of the Thunder's 22 turnovers...Stephen Curry had 15 points and six assists for Golden State, while Ellis added 13 points on 5-of-17 shooting...The Thunder snapped a two-game losing streak in Oakland...Oklahoma City held a 53-34 rebounding advantage and made 32 free throws to Golden State's 15...The Warriors shot 42.9 percent (12-of-28) from three-point range.
- OKLAHOMA CITY: 120
GOLDEN STATE: 109
Final
Jan 28 1:20 AM - OKLAHOMA CITY: 85
GOLDEN STATE: 77
End of 3rd
Jan 28 12:20 AM - OKLAHOMA CITY: 57
GOLDEN STATE: 52
Halftime
Jan 27 11:41 PM - OKLAHOMA CITY: 28
GOLDEN STATE: 23
End of 1st
Jan 27 11:06 PM - OKLAHOMA CITY: 0
GOLDEN STATE: 0
1st Quarter - 12:00
Jan 27 10:42 PM
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