2015 NBA scores: Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant execute the Wizards and 3 other things we learned

Westbrook hit a game-winning layup with 0.8 seconds left, and Durant scored a game-high 34 points in a thrilling overtime affair in the nation’s capital.

by Jason Patt

Jan 22, 2015, 1:00 PM UTC

Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

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We know Russell Westbrook is a fan of good execution. Well, Westbrook did some good executing against the Wizards on Wednesday night, hitting the game-winning layup with 0.8 seconds to give the Thunder a thrilling 105-103 overtime victory.

Not only did Westbrook hit the game-winner in overtime, but he tied the game in the final minute of regulation after Paul Pierce hit a huge three to put Washington up two.

Westbrook nearly notched a triple-double in the victory, putting up 32 points, eight rebounds and eight assists; 25 of those points came after a quiet first half in which the electric guard shot just 2-of-8 from the field as the Wizards opened up a 12-point halftime lead.

Not to be upstaged, Kevin Durant scored a team-high 34 points in a homecoming that featured a horde of adoring Wizards fans pleading for "KD2DC" in 2016. Like Westbrook, Durant struggled with his shot in the first half, going just 3-of-9 from the field.

But also like Westbrook, Durant came alive in the second half. Durant had 21 points on 7-of-14 shooting in the second half and overtime, including five points in the extra frame that were just not very nice:

EXECUTION:

With a fourth consecutive victory, Oklahoma City is a season-high two games over .500 with a record of 22-20. However, the Thunder weren't able to gain any ground on the Phoenix Suns, who pulled out a 118-113 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers despite blowing a 25-point first-half lead.

Oklahoma City remains three games back of Phoenix overall, and two games back in the loss column for the eighth seed in the Western Conference. It’s still a good bet that the Thunder will overtake the Suns, but the margin of error for Oklahoma City continues to shrink as we get closer and closer to the end of the regular season.

As for the Wizards, this loss was a tough pill to swallow after they played so well in the first half. Nene had a monster game with 24 points on 9-of-14 shooting, but it wasn't enough to overcome inefficient shooting nights from John Wall and Bradley Beal. The talented young backcourt combined to shoot just 11-of-38 from the field, and Wall missed a potential game-winner at the end of regulation and a desperation heave in overtime.

3 other things we learned

Yes, James Harden, the Warriors are that good: Prior to the last matchup between the Rockets and Warriors on Jan. 17, Harden said the NBA's best team "ain't that good." Golden State went on to win that game, 131-106, and Harden struggled to the tune of 12 points on 4-of-15 shooting. In a Wednesday rematch, Harden scored 33 points but he was mostly alone as the Warriors destroyed the Rockets again. The final score was 126-113, but that's not a good representation of how this game played out. Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry combined for 49 points (and one beef), and Golden State led by as many as 30 points in the third quarter. If you're keeping track at home, the Warriors swept the season-series against the Rockets, with all four victories coming by double figures. This latest win was Golden State's 17th straight at Oracle Arena, which is a franchise record. Just one more win and the Warriors will officially be on a 70-win pace, and Steve Kerr has clinched his spot as coach of the Western Conference All-Stars.

Mike Budenholzer is your coach of the Eastern Conference All-Stars: This may surprise you, but the Hawks won again. This time it was a 110-91 beat down of the Pacers, giving the Hawks a 14th straight victory, which ties the franchise record. All five starters scored in double figures, and Kyle Korver dunked for the first time this season. Atlanta has won 28 of 30 and sits at 35-8 on the season, which is six games ahead of Washington at the top of the Eastern Conference. Because of this gap, Budenholzer has clinched the head coaching position for the Eastern Conference All-Stars. Now the question is how many Hawks will Budenholzer be coaching in New York. You could make an argument for Korver, Jeff Teague, Al Horford and Paul Millsap, but there are only so many spots available.

The Hornets are right there in the playoff picture, and the Pistons aren't far behind: The Hornets started 6-19. The Pistons started 5-23. The Hornets were briefly the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference with a record of 18-25 after beating the Heat, 78-76, and are just a half-game behind Brooklyn. The Pistons are right there at 17-26 thanks to a 128-118 win over the Magic. THE EAST! But while it's a joke that both of these teams are where they are in the East standings, they both deserve credit for turning things around. Charlotte has regained the defensive identity that made them one of the NBA's biggest surprises last season, and the Hornets have the best defensive rating in the league in January, per NBA.com. Meanwhile, the Brandon Jennings renaissance sans Josh Smith continued with a 24-point, 21-assist gem. Jennings's performance was the first time somebody had at least 20 points and 20 assists in a game since Steve Nash in 2009, per Basketball-Reference.com.