Durant drives Thunder to 2-1 lead over Mavericks

(The Sports Xchange) – Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder responded from an uncharacteristic showing in impressive fashion.

Durant scored a game-high 34 points, Russell Westbrook added 26 and the Thunder rolled to a 131-102 victory over the Dallas Mavericks in Game 3 of a Western Conference quarterfinal playoff series Thursday night at the American Airlines Center.

With the victory, the Thunder grabbed a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. Game 4 is scheduled for today in Dallas — where the Thunder are now 3-0 this season.

Wesley Matthews led the Mavs with 22 points, Raymond Felton had 18 and Dirk Nowitzki finished with 16.

Even with the lopsided score, things got heated between the teams. Midway through the third quarter, Felton, who is 6-foot-1, and Thunder center Steven Adams, who is 7 feet, went at it briefly.

Upon review, each was charged with a technical foul, and the game stayed chippy for a while after that.

That scuffle also briefly sparked the Mavs. Dallas went on a 10-3 run to pull to within 77-67 with 5:11 left, but never truly threatened.

The Thunder had at least a double-digit lead the final 23:14 of the game, and Durant is a big reason why.