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Thunder keep pace in chase for West's top spot

Apr 21, 2012 - 6:11 AM Sacramento, CA (Sports Network) - Kevin Durant filled the stat sheet with 29 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists and Oklahoma City took care of business against Sacramento, 103-92, on Friday.

James Harden chipped in 20 points, Russell Westbrook netted 18 and Serge Ibaka finished with 12 to go with eight blocks in the Thunder's second straight win. They remained a half-game behind San Antonio for the top seed in the Western Conference.

"Everybody had it tonight. Russell sometimes, James, [Kendrick Perkins] in the first quarter," Durant said. "We just want to do a good job of playing together and getting a high number of assists."

DeMarcus Cousins led the way with 18 points and Tyreke Evans contributed 16 as the Kings fell into a tie for the worst record in the Western Conference with their ninth loss in 10 tries.

"Our team is still a team that's on the move. We're going to have situations like this. We're not there yet, not a finished product. But when we get to be a finished product, we're going to be a special basketball team," said Kings head coach Keith Smart.

After trailing since the first quarter, Sacramento trimmed its deficit to three on a pair of free throws by Jason Thompson and again on Isaiah Thomas' trey a bit later in the third. But an Ibaka tip-in followed by a Durant triple ended the first threat, and Ibaka's dunk spurred an 8-0 run the second.

After the Thunder took their largest lead of the game at 94-79 midway through the fourth, a 7-0 rally got the hosts within eight.

But they trailed by at least that many until the horn sounded, as back-to-back baskets by Ibaka prevented a further run.

Paced by a shooting percentage of almost 60 percent, Oklahoma City took a 57-49 advantage into halftime.

Game Notes

Sacramento turned 17 OKC turnovers into 14 points...The Thunder held a 27-12 edge on fastbreak points...Oklahoma City shot 53.3 percent (40-of-75) from the field while holding Sacramento to 40.9 percent (38-of-93)...These teams play again on Tuesday in Oklahoma City.