Thunder 109 - 95 Trail Blazers
Final
  for this game

Durant, Thunder visit Blazers

Mar 27, 2012 - 2:43 PM (Sports Network) - Two days after sending quite a message to LeBron James and the Miami Heat, Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City will get back to work in Rip City against the Portland Trail Blazers.

Kevin Durant propelled the Thunder with 28 points, nine rebounds, eight assists and two steals on Sunday as Oklahoma City rolled past Miami, 103-87, in a battle of NBA heavyweights.

"I was just trying to make the right play every time, whether it's for an assist or for a hockey assist," said Durant. "I'm just trying to make the right play."

James Harden and Serge Ibaka netted 19 points apiece -- Ibaka also grabbed 10 boards -- and Kendrick Perkins scored a season-high 16 points for the Thunder, who won their third straight.

It was the first meeting between the Eastern and Western Conference contenders. Oklahoma City has the best record in West while the Heat trail Chicago in the East, but Miami entered the contest percentage points ahead of the Thunder, which could come into play if both teams reach the NBA Finals in June.

"They jumped us, everybody saw it," said Heat coach Erik Spoelstra. "They were the aggressors. They played more to our identity than we [did], much more physical."

The Blazers, meanwhile, are coming off a 90-87 win over Golden State on Sunday. Raymond Felton scored a season-high 24 points and handed out seven assists in that one.

LaMarcus Aldridge's 18 points included the go-ahead fadeaway jumper in the final minute and he also contributed nine rebounds while Nicholas Batum recorded 17 points and eight boards for Portland, which has won two of three overall.

"We were able to get the necessary stops and get the buckets when we needed to," said the Blazers' Wes Matthews. "They were shooting well and we were still able to overcome it."

The Blazers, who are 3-3 since interim coach Kaleb Canales replaced the fired Nate McMillan, haven't won two in a row since Jan. 23-24

The Thunder have won two straight and five of seven overall against Portland.






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