Oklahoma City, OK (My Sportsbook) - Russell Westbrook poured in 30 points and dished out 11 assists, as the Oklahoma City Thunder took down the Utah Jazz, 119-111.
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.
Game Notes
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.
