Durant’s triple-double leads Thunder past Hawks, 107-94

Durant put the Thunder up 92-83 with 6:50 left in the fourth quarter.

Kevin Durant posted a triple double as the Oklahoma City Thunder won their eighth game in the last 10 with a 107-94 victory over the Atlanta Hawks Thursday. “You’ve just got to read the game and play the right way”. Russell Westbrook added 23 points, 10 assists and six rebounds.

“I think it’s contagious when your top guys do that”, Durant said. After the Hawks shaded down into the lane to take away Adams’ rolls, it was time for Ibaka to get going and the Thunder big man hit three straight jumpers, all assisted by Durant, to spark a 13-0 run that ended with a Durant fadeaway and then a Westbrook-to-Ibaka three-pointer.

Ibaka tied his season high in points with 23. Mike Teague had 18 points, five boards and four assists for the Hawks, while Kent Bazemore cooled off after a hot seven-for-seven start to finish with a team-high 22 points off the bench.

The Thunder outrebounded the Hawks 52-34 (see full recap).

Mario Chalmers led Memphis with 19 points, and JaMychal Green and Marc Gasol had 11 apiece. Seven assists by Durant and Westbrook on the Thunder’s first eight made shots was an incredible tone to be set, and its one that lasted throughout the night. The Hawks almost erased the substantial deficit, getting as close as one point in the third quarter.

However, Thunder reserves Dion Waiters (9 points) and Anthony Morrow (8 points) would help keep Atlanta at arms length throughout the entirety of the final 12 minutes of play.

Another 3 by Morrow early in the fourth quarter extended Oklahoma City’s lead to 88-79. I think they understand that in order to do that they’ve got to make the people around them better. “Oklahoma City was playing at a very high level”.

It was the third time this season three Thunder players have scored at least 20 points.

“In my opinion, he’s one of the rare guys in the league that can dominate a game without scoring”.

QUOTABLE: Center Al Horford, on Bazemore: He kept us in the game with his aggressiveness.

Both teams came out of the gate flying on this night, but it was the Thunder that took control early and never really relinquished that stranglehold. “He stepped up, he was solid for us, and that allowed us to come out in the second half and be more competitive”.

With consistency being a primary issue this season, there was a curiosity in how the Oklahoma City Thunder would play Thursday after putting together their most complete 48 minutes two days prior. He got a loud cheer during pregame introductions…. shot 69 percent in the first quarter, yet trailed 35-28 at the end of the period…. shot 37 percent in the second half.