Thunder Holds Off Late Push from Indiana Pacers

Originally Published: Jan 9, 2010 9:53 PM CDT

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Corey DeMoss
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma City Thunder held off a fourth-quarter comeback to defeat the Indiana Pacers 108-102 Saturday.

The Thunder (20-16) gradually built a lead through the first three quarters, outscoring the Pacers (11-26) in each period. OKC carried an 87-74 lead into the fourth quarter, but saw that lead quickly evaporate when Indiana went on a 14-2 run.

Oklahoma City allowed the Pacers to close within one point, but then turned things on and prevented them from ever taking the lead.

Kevin Durant led all scorers with 40 points and added 12 rebounds. Russell Westbrook scored 18, Jeff Green added 12 and James Harden scored 13 off the bench.

Danny Granger led the Pacers with 25 points, and A.J. Price scored 23 off the bench. The Thunder outshot the Pacers all night, making 51 percent of its shots to Indiana’s 39 percent.

The Thunder has now won seven of its last nine games and will continue its four-game home stand Monday when it hosts the New York Knicks at 7 p.m.