Thunder 112, Suns 88
Thunder 112, Suns 88: Russell Westbrook scored 24 of his 28 points in the first half as the host Thunder routed the Suns.
Kevin Durant added 23 points in 24 minutes and Westbrook finished with eight rebounds and eight assists in 27 minutes for the Thunder, who have won six straight and eight of nine to pull within one-half game of Phoenix and New Orleans for the eighth spot in the Western Conference. Anthony Morrow scored 14 points and Serge Ibaka added 12 for Oklahoma City, which outrebounded Phoenix 63-40.
Gerald Green started in place of injured Goran Dragic (back) and scored 15 points for the Suns, who have dropped five straight and seven of nine. Eric Bledsoe added 12 as the Suns shot just 34.3 percent, including 7-of-31 from the arc.
Westbrook scored 14 points in the first quarter, connecting on 8-of-8 from the line, and the Thunder shot 63.6 percent in taking a 41-29 lead after the first period. Westbrook knocked down a 3-pointer, converted a three-point play and made a driving layup to push the lead to 64-40 with 3:58 left in the half.
The Thunder led 70-48 at the break and Westbrook added four more free throws and Durant drained a 3-pointer and another jumper as the lead ballooned to 27 with 5 1/2 minutes left in the third. Oklahoma City led by 25 entering the fourth and Perry Jones and Morrow scored seven points apiece as the reserves played the entire fourth quarter.
GAME NOTEBOOK: The Thunder shot 58.8 percent, despite just 2-of-10 from the arc, in the first half and won the battle of the boards 31-17. … Durant and Westbrook combined for 42 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists in the opening 24 minutes. … Westbrook was 13-of-13 from the line.