Thunder 101, Hornets 91
Kevin Durant scored a game-high 25 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder held off the visiting New Orleans Hornets 101-91 Wednesday night.
While it wasn't a defensive gem like the Thunder's previous two games, Oklahoma City still became the first Western Conference team to reach the 15-win plateau.
James Harden had 18 points in a reserve role while Serge Ibaka and Russell Westbrook added 14 apiece.
Jarrett Jack paced the Hornets with 20 points. New Orleans failed to take advantage of 21 Thunder turnovers and shot just 1 for 7 from beyond the arc.
Durant, Ibaka and Harden combined for 42 of Oklahoma City's 60 first-half points as the Thunder built a nine-point advantage at the break. The Hornets trimmed the deficit to as low as five but couldn't jump ahead as Oklahoma City entered the fourth up 78-71.
New Orleans closed to within two on a pair of Carl Landry free throws with 9:07 remaining, but the Thunder countered with a 16-8 run capped by six straight points from Westbrook. Durant followed with back-to-back baskets to put the game away.