Thunder 103, Heat 87
THUNDER 103, HEAT 87: Kevin Durant collected 28 points, nine rebounds and eight assists as Oklahoma City made a statement in earning its third straight win.
Serge Ibaka chipped in 19 points and 10 boards and James Harden added 19 points for the Thunder, who looked convincing in building up a big lead and then holding off the Heat in a possible NBA Finals preview. Visiting Miami had its four-game winning streak come to an end.
Oklahoma City had the lead up to 91-75 after Russell Westbrook’s 3-pointer with 8:45 left when the Heat went on one last run. Chris Bosh hit a jumper and LeBron James stole the ball on the ensuing possession, finding Shane Battier for a 3-pointer.
Another turnover was followed by another 3-pointer from Battier, chopping it down to 91-83.
The Thunder held off the charge and went back to the inside, getting back-to-back dunks from Kendrick Perkins to push it to double digits with 4:01 to play. Durant’s 3-pointer 41 seconds later put it away.
Oklahoma City took control in the second quarter, getting 14 points from Harden and 11 from Durant to take a 60-49 lead into the break.
The Heat, who had held their previous four opponents to an average of 82.8 points, allowed the Thunder to go off at 67 percent from the floor in the first half.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Dwyane Wade scored 22 points to lead Miami. … The Heat committed 21 turnovers, with James, Wade and Bosh accounting for 15. … Perkins, who set a season-high with 12 points on Friday, topped that mark with 16 on Sunday.