Published : Jan. 15, 2012 - 18:05
Golden State Warriors guard Monta Ellis drives to the basket against the Charlotte Bobcats. (AP-Yonhap News)
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) ― Kevin Durant scored 28 points, James Harden added 24 off the bench and the Oklahoma City Thunder raced past the New York Knicks 104-92 on Saturday night for their sixth straight win.
Russell Westbrook was on his way to his sixth career triple-double with 21 points, eight rebounds and eight assists before coach Scott Brooks pulled his All-Stars with Oklahoma City leading by 30 points and nearly 3 minutes left in the third quarter.
New York played without Carmelo Anthony because of a sprained right ankle and injured left wrist, but it was the Knicks’ defense that was missing.
West-leading Oklahoma City scored 70 points in the first half and kept its starters on the bench throughout the fourth quarter for the third straight home game won in a blowout.
Amare Stoudemire, Tyson Chandler and Toney Douglas scored 14 points for the Knicks.
Coach Mike D’Antoni suggested before the game that the Knicks had been improving on the defensive end. Their last five opponents had averaged only 87.2 points, and none had scored even 50 points in a half.
The Thunder quickly did away with that line of thinking.
Durant, Harden and Westbrook combined for 53 points in the first half as Oklahoma City scorched New York’s defense to build a 70-47 advantage.
76ers 103, Wizards 90
Bobcats 112, Warriors 100
Hawks 93, Wolves 91
Pacers 97, Celtics 83
Bulls 77, Raptors 64
Grizzlies 108, Hornets 99
Rockets 107, Blazers 105
Jazz 107, Nets 94
Mavs 99, Kings 60
Clippers 102, Lakers 94