OKLAHOMA CITY, (Reuters) – The Oklahoma City Thunder led from start to finish but had to withstand a late push from the Orlando Magic before closing out a 125-124 victory.
The Thunder started the fourth quarter with a basket to take their largest lead of the game at 98-86, but a 17-8 run by the Magic, led by the three-point shooting of J.J. Redick, drew Orlando to within one at 111-110 with 4:46 remaining.
Kevin Durant halted the Magic’s momentum with a three-pointer and a minute later, Jeff Green hit another as the shot clock expired to give the Thunder a seven-point cushion.
The Thunder tried to protect their lead as time wound down but Orlando kept chipping away, and Jason Richardson hit a three-pointer as time expired to pull the visitors within one.
“That was an exciting game of basketball from the standpoint of offensive basketball,” Thunder coach Scott Brooks told reporters.
“Both teams played at a high level offensively. We beat a very good team, we beat one of the best teams in basketball.”
Russell Westbrook recorded a triple double for the Thunder with 32 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds, and Durant led the Thunder with 36 points, including 11 in the fourth quarter.
“We just couldn’t stop them at all, especially Durant and Westbrook,” Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said. “They average 50 a night but we gave them 68.”
Dwight Howard led the Magic with 39 points and 18 rebounds, and Redick scored 18 points — 11 in the fourth quarter with three three-pointers. “
Oklahoma City has won four straight games and now lead the Northwest Division by a half-game over the Utah Jazz, while the Magic have lost two in a row after winning nine straight.
