Durant's career-high 52 lead Thunder over Mavericks
BY SCHUYLER DIXON Associated Press
Saturday, January 19, 2013
1/19/13 at 5:33 AM
For more OKC Thunder stories.Original Print Headline: OKC wins in OT; Durant scores 52
DALLAS - Kevin Durant scored a career-high 52 points, including the go-ahead basket with 16.5 seconds left in overtime, and the Oklahoma City Thunder held off a Dallas Mavericks rally for a 117-114 victory Friday night.
The Thunder, who won their sixth straight, snapped a season-high four-game winning streak for the Mavericks. It was Oklahoma City's second overtime win against Dallas this season.
Mavericks guard O.J. Mayo forced overtime by hitting a 3-pointer with two defenders in his face with 2.3 seconds left in regulation.
Mike James had put Dallas ahead with a 3 pointer in overtime, but his shot from well behind the arc in the final seconds of the extra period fell short.
Russell Westbrook, who scored 31, missed a free throw to give the Mavericks one more chance to tie, but Vince Carter's desperation 3 at the buzzer was short.
Carter led Dallas with a season-high 29 points.
Durant was 13-of-31 from the field and made all 21 free throws in the first 50-point game for an NBA player this season. The Thunder hit 12 freebies in the fourth quarter, but it wasn't enough as Mayo hit the tying 3 after two free throws by Westbrook with 5.9 seconds left.
The Thunder blew a 14-point second-half lead and almost lost for the first time in 28 games when leading after three quarters.
Dallas had its first chance to tie in the final 15 seconds when Carter went for a dunk and a one-point deficit instead. After Westbrook hit two free throws, Mayo hit the 3-pointer with two defenders jumping at him.
Durant missed a jumper just inside the 3-point line at the regulation buzzer.
Associated Images:
Oklahoma City forward Kevin Durant shoots over Dallas forward Elton Brand during Friday's game in Dallas. MATT STRASEN/Associated Press
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