Oklahoma City, OK (Sports Network) - Russell Westbrook poured in 30 points and dished out 11 assists, as the Oklahoma City Thunder took down the Utah Jazz, 119-111.
Durant’s 35 Leads Thunder In 119-111 Win Over Jazz
Kevin Durant added 35 points for the Thunder, who have won five in a row and sit in fifth in the Western Conference. Jeff Green donated 14 points, while Nenad Krstic and Thabo Sefolosha each chipped in 13 for the victors. Oklahoma City shot a sizzling 60.3 percent from the field.
Wesley Matthews finished with a career-high 29 points for the Jazz, who ended a four-game road trip with a 2-2 mark and are now just a half-game ahead of the Thunder in the standings.
Deron Williams battled through a sore shoulder and wrist to record 27 points and 14 assists before fouling out. Carlos Boozer tallied 18 points and 11 boards for Utah, which lost back-to-back games for the first time since a three-game skid from December 31-January 4.
The Jazz were without center Mehmet Okur (back), forward Andrei Kirilenko (calf), and reserve guard Ronnie Price (wrist) on Sunday.
A Westbrook jumper put the Thunder ahead 27-19 late in the first quarter, but the Jazz closed the period on a 7-2 spurt to get within three, 29-26.
Ahead 35-31 early in the second, Oklahoma City ripped off eight straight points to build a 43-31 margin with over 5 1/2 minutes remaining. The Thunder led for the remainder of the half and took a 59-49 advantage into the locker room.
A Paul Millsap jumper cut the gap to six, 78-72, with over 4 1/2 minutes left in the third. But the Thunder responded with a brief 8-1 surge. Westbrook's driving layup made it an 86-73 contest with 2:45 remaining. The score was 90-79 after three periods.
Utah never got closer than six in the fourth.
The Thunder have won all three games against the Jazz so far this season, including an 87-86 thriller on December 31 at the Ford Center...Oklahoma City went perfect on a three-game homestand and has won six straight at home...The Jazz signed guard/forward Othyus Jeffers to a second 10-day contract...Durant recorded his 37th 30-point game this season...The Jazz made 50.6 percent of their shots.
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