In that closing stretch, Durant scored the Thunder’s last 12 points, finishing with a game-high 30 to hold off the Timberwolves 101-96. Despite the absence of one of its leaders and a zone defense by the Mavericks, the Thunder didn’t stray from its principles, even when Dallas made a run.
Advertisement
Unlike the Thunder, Dallas has been successful in back-to-backs going 6-3 to this point.
On the season, the Thunder average 108.7 points, 47.2 rebounds and 21.5 assists per game.
Forward Kevin Durant scored 28 points for Oklahoma City, including 12 in the fourth quarter as Minnesota tried to rally.
The All-Star shot 7-for-17 in the first three quarters but responded each time as the Timberwolves drew close in the final minutes.
Rookie center Karl-Anthony Towns finished with his 18th double-double of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
LaVine said he’s been pretty good outside of the recent “six-game slide”, but he’s been swallowing Mitchell’s medicine. The Wolves offense was occasionally ugly again in the period, but the Thunder missed some shots that they normally hit and the Wolves were trailing by 14 heading into the fourth.
With the Mavericks on the second night of a back-to-back after an overtime loss to Cleveland on Tuesday, Carlisle chose not to play his five regular starters – Dirk Nowitzki, Wesley Matthews, Chandler Parsons, Deron Williams and Zaza Pachulia.
A scuffle ensued in the second quarter of Wednesday’s Thunder-Mavs game after JJ Barea and Russell Westbrook got into it after the play.
Russell Westbrook got tangled up with J.J. Barea and both players shoved at each other, that caused several other players to get involved, and more scuffling ensued. “So we knew he was going to try and add a little something to the game, but we did a good job keeping our heads”. The Wolves then had to foul, though, and Durant sealed the game away by connecting on all four of his free throw attempts in those final seconds.
Advertisement
Mavs forward Charlie Villanueva stepped in and put a hand on Westbrook’s throat, which resulted in an automatic ejection. Though they have not had a flawless season, they have done enough to remind the fans and critics that they are one of the best teams in the league and when they are on their best game, they can beat anyone on any given day. Enes Kanter scored 18 points off the bench and only missed two of his 10 shots.
