Thunder 113, Timberwolves 103
OKLAHOMA CITY -- Forward Kevin Durant racked up his fourth career triple-double while leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 113-103 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday at Chesapeake Energy Arena.
Durant finished with 32 points, 12 assists, 10 rebounds, four steals and four blocks in his best all-around game of the season. Thunder guard Russell Westbrook added 19 points, five assists and three steals. Guard Reggie Jackson came off the bench to score 18.
Guard Kevin Martin paced Minnesota with 24 points on 6-for-16 shooting. Center Nikola Pekovic added 22 points and 10 rebounds, and forward Kevin Love had 16 points and 12 boards.
For three quarters, the game was tight. Minnesota led 83-78 after 36 minutes.
Oklahoma City heated up to begin the fourth period. Durant started off with a 3-pointer at the top of the key, and he got an assist on guard Jeremy Lamb's 3-pointer that give the Thunder a one-point advantage. Jackson then forced the Timberwolves to call a timeout with a jumper to complete the 8-0 run the first two minutes.
The Thunder (12-3) outscored the Timberwolves 35-20 in the fourth quarter to extend their winning streak to six games.
The Timberwolves (9-10) were the team that started the game with more energy. Love did his damage early from long distance. With forward Serge Ibaka guarding him, he knocked down three quick 3-pointers in the opening five minutes.
Martin, who drove into the lane for midrange jumpers, matched Love with nine points in the period as the Timberwolves led 32-26 after 12 minutes.
The Timberwolves pushed their lead to 10 points as Martin continued his hot shooting in the second quarter. He had 17 points in 17 minutes to start the night.
Ibaka, Durant and Westbrook spurred a 9-2 Thunder run to close out the second quarter and close the gap to 58-55.
Oklahoma City was able to get back into the game behind the constant pressure Westbrook put on the Timberwolves on both ends of the court. He attacked Minnesota point guard Ricky Rubio with the dribble and got chest to chest on defense.
However, almost every time the Thunder got to within striking distance, Minnesota had an answer.
With the Timberwolves leading 81-78 with 28 seconds left in the third quarter, Love induced Ibaka to foul him while attempting a 3-pointer. He made two of three free throws to give Minnesota a seven-point advantage.
Thunder forward Nick Collison hit two shots from the foul line to close deficit 83-78 heading into the fourth.
NOTES: Minnesota G Kevin Martin made his first return back to Oklahoma City since he left the Thunder in the offseason and since he said of his new club on Nov. 4, ""This is such a fun team to play on. Nobody is trying to lead the league in scoring here." As a member of the Thunder, Martin averaged 14 points per game. With the Wolves, he is second on the team at 23.1 ppg. ... Oklahoma City started the day fifth in the NBA in blocks per game despite having only two players with at least 10. F Serge Ibaka (36) and C Steven Adams (16) led the way, and Ibaka added three to his total against the Wolves. F Kevin Durant blocked four shots Sunday, giving him 11 on the season. ... Two days after Oklahoma City G Russell Westbrook hit a last-second 3-pointer to beat the Golden State Warriors in overtime, Thunder coach Scott Brooks wasn't worried about a letdown from his team. "We've had so many games like that," Brooks said. "I think our guys understand that game is behind us. It was a great finish and an incredible atmosphere."
