Durant Leads Thunder Past Kings 99-97
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - Kevin Durant scored 10 of his 35 points in the fourth quarter to help lead the Oklahoma City Thunder past the Sacramento Kings 99-97 on Saturday night.
The victory was fourth in five games for the Thunder. Oklahoma City took the lead on Eric Maynor's 3-pointer to end the first quarter and led the rest of the way in winning their fourth straight road game.
Tyreke Evans had 30 points and nine rebounds for the Kings, who have lost five straight. DeMarcus Cousins had 14 points and 12 rebounds, Omri Casspi scored 14 points and Beno Udrih added 13 points and seven assists.
The Kings have the second-worst home record (7-22) in the NBA behind the Cleveland Cavaliers and went 1-5 in a homestand that ended against the Thunder.
Russell Westbrook had 22 points and seven assists, and James Harden had 11 points for the Thunder. Durant, the NBA's leading scorer, made 13 of 22 shots, but only hit eight of 13 free throws, and added six rebounds.
Evans had 10 fourth-quarter points, but missed a 3-pointer in the final seconds that would have given Sacramento the victory.
Evans converted two free throws and his fastbreak layup cut the Thunder's lead to 99-97. After Evans' basket, the Kings quickly fouled Durant, who missed both free throws and the Kings secured the rebound with 5 seconds left - setting up Evans' 3-point try.
After a pair of baskets by Evans trimmed the Thunder's lead to 97-93, Durant connected on a 21-foot, step-back jumper over Donte Greene, giving Oklahoma City a 99-93 lead with 47 seconds left.
Durant made a pair of jumpers and scored off a spinning move in the lane, helping the Thunder take a 97-85 lead with 3:32 remaining.
Both Serge Ibaka and Eric Mayor had a pair of baskets early in the fourth quarter, when the Thunder built an 89-76 lead.
Trailing by nine at the half, the Kings got going behind Evans, who had seven points in the third, and Dalembert, who added six to help the Kings pull to within 75-72 heading into the fourth.
It didn't help the Kings when Cousins picked up three fouls in the first four minutes of the third quarter and went to the bench with four fouls.
The Kings defense had little success slowing down either Durant or Westbrook in the opening half. Durant scored 17 points, including a rare four-point play late in the second quarter. Westbrook had 15 points and four assists for the Thunder, who led 54-45 at the half.
Notes: Maynor made a 47-foot shot at to end the first quarter. The 3-point basket gave the Thunder a 27-24 lead. ... Kings reserve guard Luther Head injured his right knee in the second quarter and was unavailable the remainder of the game. ... The teams meet again Tuesday night in Oklahoma City. It's the first of seven straight road games for the Kings.