Oklahoma City, OK (Sports Network) - Kevin Durant tallied 18 points to help the Oklahoma City Thunder stave off a late New Jersey rally to deal the Nets a 94-85 defeat at Ford Center.
Jeff Green and Russell Westbrook notched 13 points apiece for the Thunder, who have alternated wins and losses for the past five contests. Nick Collison logged 12 points and eight rebounds in the win.
Brook Lopez had 18 points and seven boards for the Nets, who have dropped six of their last seven games. Josh Boone gave 11 points and Devin Harris 10 in defeat.
The Thunder held a slight 24-23 lead after the first quarter and opened a 51-40 advantage at the intermission.
Collison's layup sparked a 14-2 Oklahoma City run the Thunder used to open the third period. Durant's layup closed it out with about 8 1/2 minutes left to give the home team a 65-42 lead.
Moments later, Durant's long-range jumper and Westbrook's two free throws ballooned the Thunder's lead to 74-47 with 5:46 showing on the clock.
Oklahoma City was on top 82-54 heading into the final 12 minutes.
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Down by 30 points early in the fourth, the Nets used a furious 24-1 run to get back in the game, 89-82. Jarvis Hayes' 20-foot jumper sparked the run and Maurice Ager's layup closed it out with just over a minute left to play.
The visitors were unable to get within seven points down the stretch, though.
