Kings Fall To Thunder 120-112
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- Kevin Durant scored 32 points and Russell Westbrook had 30 points and nine assists for the Oklahoma Thunder, who beat the Sacramento Kings 120-112 on Monday night for their fifth straight win.
Oklahoma City (55-26) has clinched the Northwest Division and will be seeded no worse than fourth in the playoffs. It trails Dallas by a game and the Los Angeles Lakers by a half game.
DeMarcus Cousins made 18 of 21 free throws and had a career-high 30 points and nine rebounds for the Kings, who have dropped six straight to the Thunder. Marcus Thornton had 21 points and nine rebounds, Beno Udrih also scored 21 and Jason Thompson added 16.
Durant, who had nine fourth quarter points, made four free throws in the final 41 seconds to secure the victory. Serge Ibaka had 14 points, eight rebounds and six blocks for the Thunder, who trailed by six points at the half. James Harden added 12 points.
The Thunder, who had an emotional road win Sunday against the Los Angeles Lakers, are 16-3 since losing to Memphis Grizzlies on March 7. They conclude their regular season Wednesday at home against the Milwaukee Bucks, while Dallas meets New Orleans.
If the Thunder win and the Mavericks lose, Oklahoma City moves into the third slot because it defeated Dallas 2-0 in the season series. The Lakers have two games remaining, including the season finale in Sacramento.
The Kings quickly opened a 10-point lead early in a high-scoring third quarter that was both physical and fast paced. Scoreless in the opening half, Ibaka scored 12 points in the third and Westbook had 11. Durant's 3-pointer just before the buzzer gave the Thunder an 87-83 lead.
The Thunder went on a 7-1 run to open the fourth and built the lead to 101-89 by the 8:55 mark. Inspired by a boisterous crowd of 15,683, the Kings kept the game within reach.
The Kings cut the lead to 114-110 on Thornton's 3-pointer, but Westbrook answered with a jumper with 55 seconds left to put the Thunder ahead by six.
The Kings played without last year's rookie of the year, Tyreke Evans, who sprained his left ankle in Sunday's victory over the Golden State Warriors.
NOTES: The Kings are 11-29 at home and must defeat the Lakers on Wednesday night to avoid tying the worst home record in franchise history. The Kings went 11-30 in 2008-09. ... Thunder backup center Nazr Mohammed made all five shots and had 10 points, five rebounds and five fouls in 18 minutes.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
