Thunder rumble to strike the Kings hard

SACRAMENTO, California — Russell Westbrook had 20 points, 15 rebounds and 13 assists, leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 131-116 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Monday night.

Kevin Durant finished with 27 points, 10 rebounds and six assists as Oklahoma City bounced back from a difficult stretch. The Thunder had dropped four of five, including a heartbreaking overtime loss to Golden State on Saturday night.

Oklahoma City shot 57 per cent (47 for 82) from the field, including a 14-for-34 performance from 3-point range. Enes Kanter scored 23 points on 11-for-11 shooting.

Sacramento have lost three in a row heading into a four-game road trip. DeMarcus Cousins had 35 points and 12 rebounds, and Rajon Rondo finished with 11 points, 12 assists and nine rebounds.

Clippers 105, Nets 95

Jamal Crawford scored 26 points, and the Clippers beat the Nets to win their second in a row after alternating wins and losses in their previous six games.

Chris Paul had 23 points and 12 assists for Los Angeles, and J.J. Redick scored 19 points.

Brook Lopez had 25 points and 10 rebounds for Brooklyn, which were going for their first three-game winning streak of the season. Instead, the Nets lost their fifth straight to the Clippers at Staples Centre.

Cavaliers 100, Pacers 96

LeBron James scored 33 points after sitting out a game and Tristan Thompson made two huge plays in the final minute, leading Cleveland to the victory.

James was rested on Sunday by coach Tyronn Lue and the Cavs were lethargic in a 113-99 loss at Washington. But with James back on the floor, Cleveland played with much more energy and again looked like a team with NBA championship aspirations.

Matthew Dellavedova hit a tying 3-pointer for the Cavs with 1:13 left before Thompson made it 96-94 with a layup. Thompson then blocked a shot by Indiana’s George Hill with 18 seconds left.

Monta Ellis scored 28 points and Paul George had 23 for the Pacers, who lost their third straight but played much better than in a loss to Portland on Sunday.

Wizards 116, 76ers 108

John Wall scored 16 of his 37 points in the fourth quarter, helping the Wizards rally for the win.

Wall and Marcin Gortat combined for 14 points during a 16-0 fourth-quarter run in Washington’s sixth victory in eight games since the All-Star break. Gortat finished with 18 points and a career-high 20 rebounds.

Markieff Morris added 16 points and 13 rebounds in his first double-double with Washington.

Philadelphia played without rookie centre Jahlil Okafor, who was sidelined by a right shin bruise. But the 76ers had six players score in double figures, led by Ish Smith’s 25 points.

The 76ers were outrebounded 53-32 in their ninth straight loss.

Bucks 128, Rockets 121

Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded his second career triple-double with 18 points, 17 rebounds and 11 assists, and the Bucks outlasted the Rockets.

Jabari Parker scored a career-high 36 points for Milwaukee and Khris Middleton had 30 points.

The Bucks nearly blew a late 13-point lead after the Rockets put together a 9-0 run. After forcing a turnover, Houston’s Trevor Ariza was whistled for a five-second violation on inbounds pass with 20 seconds remaining.

Dwight Howard had 30 points and 13 rebounds for Houston, while Ariza had 20 points and 11 assists.

Grizzlies 103, Nuggets 96

Zach Randolph scored 22 points, leading Memphis to the road win.

Matt Barnes had 16 points for the Grizzlies, and Mario Chalmers finished with 15. Memphis won their fifth in a row against the Nuggets, including three meetings this season.

Kenneth Faried had 16 points and 11 rebounds for the Nuggets, who have lost five of six. Gary Harris added 15 points.

Newly signed JaKarr Sampson started in place of injured forward Danilo Gallinari, the Nuggets’ leading scorer who is sidelined indefinitely after severely spraining his right ankle Friday at Dallas. Sampson finished with seven points.

Celtics 100, Jazz 95

Jae Crowder had 22 points, and the Celtics extended their home win streak to 11.

Isaiah Thomas added 18 points and nine assists. Avery Bradley also finished with 18 points.

The Celtics went in front for good on a 3-pointer by Crowder with less than a minute to play.

Trey Lyles had 18 points and 10 rebounds for the Jazz, who have dropped three in a row.