Durant scores 29 points in Thunder win over Charlotte

NOTES: Oklahoma City F Kevin Durant was injured kicking somebody by accident in Charlotte Saturday.

With the recent price adjustments it could be a tall order to field a competitive lineup with both Durant and Westbrook, so the more prudent option would be to eschew one of them in favor of better depth. The Hornets allowing 116.9 points per 100 possessions keeps up the issue of the last few games, in which it’s simply too easy to score against them. Oklahoma City limited Charlotte to 34.5 percent and 6 of 22 from beyond the arc.

“We just wanted to maintain and sustain it”, said Morrow, a Charlotte native. “We were moving the ball, everyone was getting touches and we were in rhythm”. “The things we were trying to do, I saw a conscientious effort for those guys to do those things”. “Our energy level is good”. While injuries have piled up, heavily contributing to their current three game losing streak, Charlotte’s defense and rebounding has been heavily criticized and rightly so.

Still, Charlotte made a run in the third quarter, cutting a 12-point Oklahoma City lead to two.

Coach George Karl moved into a tie for fifth on the National Basketball Association wins list with 1,155 when DeMarcus Cousins had 32 points and nine rebounds Saturday to lead the Sacramento Kings to a 142-119 victory over the Phoenix Suns, who lost their eighth in a row. Led by Durant, the Thunder were able to regroup and finish out the quarter on a 21-to-12 run. Charlotte got close to tying the game as the cut the Thunder lead to just two points but they could never gain control of the game.

Cody Zeller has done an admirable job in Jefferson’s stead, but he is a weaker defender; starting power forward Marvin Williams is good for rebounding but not much else; and reserve center Spencer Hawes is dinged up. “When we get stops, we are at our best”, Rondo said afterward.

Oklahoma City extended its advantage to 20 late in the fourth, going up 107-87 on Ibaka’s jumper with 2:54 left. He scored 18 points and had eight rebounds in the Mavs’ win over the Warriors last week.

Anthony Morrow dropped a season-high 20 points on 8-of-11 shooting on Monday vs. the Kings, adding one board, one steal and three 3-pointers in 34 minutes.

Oklahoma City’s first loss in five games leaves their record at 24-11, still ranked third in the Western Conference.

He also played a key role defensively against Cousins, who managed 13 points while missing 15 of 20 shots.