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Sports

Thunder top Hornets for 10th win in 11 games

Associated Press
Published | Updated

OKLAHOMA CITY – Kevin Durant scored 25 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to their 10th win in 11 games, 101-91 over the New Orleans Hornets on Wednesday night.

The Thunder improved to 15-3, the best record in the Western Conference, despite an off night from guard Russell Westbrook and 21 turnovers.

Oklahoma City led throughout, including by as many as 14 in the first half. The Hornets pulled to 83-81 with 9:07 left in the game, but Westbrook hit back-to-back shots and the Hornets never got closer than four the rest of the way.

Westbrook started 1 for 10 with four turnovers. He finished 4 of 14 for 14 points.

Jarrett Jack scored 20 points to lead New Orleans. Gustavo Ayon, who came in averaging just 3.2 points, added 16 and Carl Landry 15.

Reserve James Harden had 18 points and made 9 of 10 free throws for the Thunder, who shot 53 percent to win their third straight.

The Thunder led 60-51 at the break after shooting 60.6 percent in the opening half.

Durant didn't miss a shot in the first half, going 5 for 5 and scoring 16 points. He finished 9 of 13 and had a team-high seven rebounds.

Durant finished 9 of 13 shooting and had a team-high seven rebounds.

The Thunder offset the 21 turnovers by getting timely shooting from Daequan Cook, who hit three 3-pointers, and with 21 assists.

"Just too many turnovers," Thunder coach Scott Brooks said. "Don't know. It's not like we don't work on it. It's happening and we have to correct it. We controlled the boards and the turnovers were a big part of the game. We have to do a much better job with the ball."

Brooks also said Westbrook improved as the game went on.

"Some shots fell for him," Brooks said. "You just keep playing. You're not going to always play good basketball. You have to keep your focus and in the fourth quarter the game turned around for him."

Notes: Hornets F Trevor Ariza was just 1 for 8 and had two points. ... New Orleans F Xavier Henry played for the first time this season and had three points on 1-for-5 shooting ... — Harden had six assists for Oklahoma City.