Durant’s career-high 52 lifts Thunder past Mavs
KEVIN Durant scored a career-high 52 points as the NBA-leading Oklahoma City Thunder prevailed, 117-114, in an overtime thriller against the Dallas Mavericks on Friday.
Durant landed a perfect 21 from 21 at the free-throw line, with Russell Westbrook adding 31 points for the visitors as the Thunder (32-8) won their sixth straight to continue their dominance in the league.
“I knew (about closing in on a career-high haul) but I was just trying to focus on the game and get us this win,” Durant told reporters. “Going into that fourth quarter I had missed like eight shots in a row and my team mates kept telling me to be aggressive and they were giving me confidence every time.”
Durant’s fourth quarter misses allowed Dallas (17-24) to make up a nine point deficit and force overtime when OJ Majo nailed a threepointer with 2.3 seconds left.
But Durant found his form again, landing nine of the Thunder’s 12 points in overtime to grab the victory after Mike James failed with a late three-point attempt.
“They’ve got the heart of a champion,” Durant said of Dallas. “Everybody is going to bring their best against us. Dallas is a championship level team, no matter what their record is. “I’m glad we gutted this one out.” Vince Carter scored 29 from the bench to lead Dallas, who had their four game win streak snapped, while Dirk Nowitzki and Mayo contributed 18 each.
In other games, the Chicago Bulls nipped the Boston Celtics, 100-99; the Brooklyn Nets turned back the Atlanta Hawks, 94-89; the Memphis Grizzlies ripped the Sacramento Kings, 85-69; the Indiana Pacers downed the Houston Rockets, 105-95; the Philadelphia 76ers shaded the Toronto Raptors, 108-101, in overtime; the Charlotte Bobcats repulsed the Orlando Magic 106-100; the San Antonio Spurs outsteadied the Golden State Warriors, 95-88; and the Washington Wizards outlasted the Denver Nuggets, 112-108.
In Boston, Marco Belinelli made the gamewinning jumper with 3.1 seconds left, Jimmy Butler scored six points in overtime and the Bulls extended their Friday night road show by beating the Celtics.
Carlos Boozer had 19 points and 20 rebounds, and Joakim Noah added 14 points and 13 boards as the Bulls won their 14th straight road game on a Friday. They haven’t lost since April 2011.
Rajon Rondo scored a season-high 30 points for Boston before fouling out with 1:16 to play in overtime.
Kevin Garnett had 16 points and Paul Pierce passed former Celtics star Robert Parish for 22nd on the NBA’s career scoring list by chipping in 13 points. Pierce has 23,342 points and Parish 23,334.
Brandon Bass added 13 points for Boston, which lost for the second time in eight games.
Richard Hamilton had 20 points for the Bulls, who have won four of five.
Jason Terry’s jumper pushed Boston ahead 99-98 in OT before Belinelli’s game-winner just to the left of the foul line.
In New York, Deron Williams scored 24 points, making four free throws in the final 43.4 seconds, and Brooklyn beat Atlanta to earn a split of their home-andhome series.
In Memphis, Tennessee, Mike Conley scored 19 points, Marc Gasol added 18 points and 10 rebounds, and the Grizzlies snapped a three-game losing streak.
In Indianapolis, Paul George scored 31 points and David West had 20 points and 11 rebounds to lead Indiana past Houston.
In Philadelphia, Jrue Holiday had a career-high tying 33 points and 14 assists, including all 12 of Philadelphia’s points in overtime, and the 76ers overcame a 19-point second-half deficit to down Toronto.
Thaddeus Young added 27 points and 14 rebounds.