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Westbrook lifts Thunder over Mavericks

Feb 2, 2012 - 6:28 AM Dallas, TX (Sports Network) - Russell Westbrook finished with 33 points, including six in the final two minutes, as the Thunder escaped American Airlines Center with a 95-86 victory over the Mavericks in a battle of Western Conference contenders.

Kevin Durant totaled 23 points and 13 rebounds, while Serge Ibaka blocked 10 shots and pulled down 11 boards for Oklahoma City, which was coming off a 112-100 loss against the Clippers on Monday.

Jason Terry netted 25 points to lead the Mavs, who got 12 points apiece from Shawn Marion and Brandan Wright.

Dirk Nowitzki shot just 2-for-15 from the field and posted eight points and eight rebounds in the loss, Dallas' second over the last eight games.

Dallas shot 3-of-19 in the third quarter and watched a three-point halftime lead turn into a five-point deficit, 71-66, entering the fourth.

The Thunder led by as many as 10 in the final frame, but held just a two-point lead, 81-79, after Marion tipped in a Rodrigue Beaubois miss with 4:18 remaining.

Marion tied it at 85-all on a running hook shot in the lane with 2:14 showing, but Oklahoma City scored the next seven points to pull away.

"We're doing a better job of closing out games. You saw that tonight," Westbrook said. "Everybody did a great job of coming out and doing their roles."

Westbrook broke the tie with a pull-up jumper, Durant hit a turnaround the next time down and Westbrook drained a three-pointer over Marion for a 92-85 cushion with 35.9 seconds remaining.

Dallas, which led 29-21 after the first quarter and 52-49 at the break, missed three shots and had two turnovers over the last two minutes.

"They're playing the best right now," Terry said of the Thunder. "For the time being they are the team to beat."

Game Notes

The Thunder lead the season series, 2-1, and host the finale on March 5...James Harden posted 10 points and a game-high nine assists for the Thunder, who owned a 55-44 advantage on the glass...Mavs head coach Rick Carlisle was ejected with 9:34 remaining in the fourth quarter after receiving his second technical foul.