Durant Drops 48, But Shorthanded Thunder Fall In Utah

Playing without Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka, the Thunder didn't appear to stand a chance Tuesday night in Utah. 

The Jazz led by 12 at halftime and as much as 21 in the second half, but Kevin Durant refused to say die. Durant poured in 48 points to lead a ferocious Thunder comeback, but it wasn't quite enough. 

Gordon Hayward caught fire late, scoring the final 17 points of the game for Utah as the Jazz held on for a 112-101 win.  Hayward finished with 37 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists.  

Two Kevin Durant free throws cut the Thunder's deficit to five at 99-94 with 4:50 left to play, but Hayward couldn't be stopped.  The third-year forward from Butler drilled back-to-back 3-balls to stretch the lead back to nine.

Durant collected seven rebounds and dished out five assists to go with his 48 points. It's the second time this week Durant has reached the 48-point mark.   The only other Thunder player to reach double figures was Reggie Jackson, who finished with 20 points and six assists.  Meanwhile, six Jazz players scored double digits. 

The Thunder shot just 39 percent from the floor and a woeful 17.6 percent (6-34) from 3-point range.  Derek Fisher was 0-5 from deep, while Jeremy Lamb hit just 1-8.  Even Durant struggled from deep, sinking just 3-13. 

Oklahoma City held a 20-10 advantage in fast-break points and outscored the Jazz 44-34 in the paint.  

The Thunder fell to 27-8, while Utah improved to 12-25.  OKC is in Denver Thursday night to face the Nuggets, then back home for a Saturday date with the Milwaukee Bucks.