Thunder 131, Lakers 102
Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook scored 29 points apiece as host Oklahoma City avenged Sunday’s road loss to Los Angeles.
Serge Ibaka had 15 points, 13 rebounds and a season-best seven blocked shots as the Thunder moved to within a half-game of first-place San Antonio in the Western Conference. Westbrook also had nine assists and three steals and Oklahoma City racked up a 60-37 rebounding advantage.
Jodie Meeks scored 19 points to lead the Lakers but was unable to match the career-best 42-point effort he had in Sunday’s 114-110 victory over the Thunder. Kent Bazemore added 16 points off the bench and Pau Gasol scored 14.
Oklahoma City squandered an 18-point second-quarter lead in Sunday’s loss and jumped out to a 23-point advantage less than 19 minutes into this contest. Los Angeles battled back to within 60-46 at the break before the Thunder again rolled it up with a 41-point third quarter.
A 14-2 burst made it 83-60 midway through the third quarter and Oklahoma City took a 101-77 lead into the fourth. The Thunder led by as many as 31 while cruising to the finish.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Durant has scored 25 or more points in 30 consecutive games, the third-best streak in the last 50 years behind Michael Jordan (40 in 1986-87) and Spencer Haywood (31 in 1972-73). … Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni confirmed that PG Steve Nash (back) won’t play again this season one day after it was announced that G Kobe Bryant (knee) won’t return. … Ibaka fell one block shy of matching his career high.