Nba: Thunder deals Suns sixth straight loss

2013-01-01T00:00:00Z Nba: Thunder deals Suns sixth straight lossThe Associated Press The Associated Press
January 01, 2013 12:00 am  • 

OKLAHOMA CITY - Kevin Durant scored 30 points, Russell Westbrook returned from a cut above his eye to finish with 24 points, nine assists and seven rebounds and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Phoenix Suns 114-96 on Monday night.

Oklahoma City extended its home-court winning streak to 12 games - longest in the NBA - and won on New Year's Eve for the fifth straight year since the franchise moved from Seattle. The Thunder closed 2012 by winning 15 of its last 17 games.

Luis Scola scored 24 points to lead Phoenix, which dropped its sixth straight game and fell to the Thunder for the seventh straight time. The Suns haven't beaten Oklahoma City since December 19, 2010.

Westbrook left the game late in the first half with a cut over his right eye that required stitches. In his absence, the Thunder started the second half with Reggie Jackson at point guard and went on a 12-0 run to seize control.

Oklahoma City never trailed again, although Phoenix pulled within two points twice in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter.

After missing about seven minutes of game time, Westbrook came straight from the locker room with tape above his eye, checked in with 6:24 left in the third quarter and went to work.

He drew a foul and made both free throws, and after a two-handed dunk by Durant, Westbrook drilled a 17-foot jumper, then hit three free throws after being fouled behind the arc.

• Heat 112, Magic 110, OT: In Orlando, Fla., LeBron James had 36 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds, and Chris Bosh scored 22 points to help the Miami Heat slip past the Orlando Magic in overtime .

James scored eight points in OT, including two free throws that clinched it with 1.5 seconds remaining. Dwayne Wade, who had 21 points, had a dunk with 6.2 seconds to go to give Miami a four-point lead.

Arron Afflalo scored 28 for the Magic and J.J. Redick added 23, but he committed the turnover that led to Wade's decisive dunk.

Nikola Vucevic had 20 points and set a team record with 29 rebounds as Orlando lost its sixth straight. The previous record was 28 rebounds by Shaquille O'Neal in 1993.

James scored on a driving layup with 1:07 left in the extra period to give Miami a 108-106 lead. He missed a shot from the top of the key, giving Orlando a chance to tie, but Shane Battier stole a cross-court pass from Redick and fed Wade for his late slam.

Josh McRoberts cut it to two with two seconds to play, but James sealed it at the line.

• Bobcats 91, Bulls 81: In Chicago, Kemba Walker had 18 points and eight rebounds to help Charlotte end an 18-game losing streak.

• Spurs 104, Nets 73: In San Antonio, Tony Parker had 20 points and San Antonio Spurs held Brooklyn to only five points in the third quarter.

• Pacers 88, Grizzlies 83: In Indianapolis, Paul George had 21 points, six rebounds and five assists to lead Indiana.

• Rockets 123, Hawks 104: In Houston, James Harden had 28 points and Houston rebounded from its worst loss of the season with a win over Atlanta. The Rockets were coming off a 30-point defeat by Oklahoma City.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Featured businesses

View more...

Deals, offers & events

View more...
Jay's of Tucson Inc.

We have Unique Gifts! Stop in to Jay’s of Tucson today!

Kachina’s, Iron Wood Carvings, Nylon Rope Baskets, Tiles to Sm…

Gift Basket Creations

Looking to Sweeten Someone’s Day?

Who wouldn't love to get this basket including “Simple Pleasures”.

Tucson Rolling Shutters

privacy plus

Call or visit us today!

Personal Training Institute

Isn’t It Time You Had Your Own Personal Trainer and Nutritionist?

At PTI, You Do.  Call Personal Training Institute.  520-297-8280

Law Office of John G. Stompoly PLLC

Wrongful Death, Premises Liability, we handle it all!

Have you or a loved one been injured by hidden dangers on prop…

Video

StarNet newsletters

Sign up for StarNet e-mail newsletters