Thunder 104, Hornets 93
Kevin Durant scored 43 points on just 19 shots and added 10 rebounds to lead the host Oklahoma City Thunder to a 104-93 victory over the New Orleans Hornets on Wednesday.
Durant was 14-of-19 from the field, including 5-of-7 3-pointers, and 10-of-11 from the line for his fifth 40-point game of the season. Three of those have come in his last four outings.
The Hornets made it in safely to Oklahoma City late Tuesday night despite a wintry storm that paralyzed much of the Midwest on Tuesday. They showed no effects of any travel issues, opening a 55-49 halftime lead.
But the Thunder turned things around with a big third quarter. Durant scored 13 points, including the last six to give Oklahoma City an 81-72 lead.
The Thunder also corraled Chris Paul, limiting the All-Star guard to one basket in the second half. Paul finished with 15 points and five assists, returning after being helped off the floor with a twisted ankle in the first quarter.
Jeff Green had 12 points and Serge Ibaka had 12 rebounds for Oklahoma City (31-17), which made a season-high 10 3-pointers to overcome a subpar performance by Russell Westbrook, who scored just 10 points.
David West had 20 points and 15 rebounds for New Orleans (32-19), which lost forward Trevor Ariza to an ankle injury in the third period.