Thunder halts losing streak with win over Memphis

(The Sports Xchange) -Forward Kevin Durant scored 30 of his game-high 37 points in the second half to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 113-107 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies.

The win ended a three-game losing streak for the Thunder.

After a slow start, Durant scored 17 points in the third quarter to help the Thunder (44-15) take a 87-71 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

The Grizzlies cut the lead to four with 3:33 left but after guard Mike Miller missed a layup that would have trimmed the deficit to two, Durant made them pay with a step-back jumper.

Memphis forward James Johnson answered with a three-pointer to make the score 105-102 though center Marc Gasol missed an easy shot while Durant was guarding him and the Oklahoma forward then responded by slotting a corner jumper to push the Thunder advantage to five.