MINNESOTA, (Reuters) – Kevin Durant scored 30 points and added 11 rebounds as the Oklahoma City Thunder dug themselves out of an early hole to stun the Minnesota Timberwolves 111-103 on Wednesday.
Oklahoma fell behind by 19 in the second quarter and was still down 13 in the third before surging ahead in the final period and holding off the Timberwolves.
“We’ve made a lot of progression as far as being a team,” Durant told reporters. “I remember a couple of years ago we were down 16 here in the first quarter and gave up.”
Durant, the NBA’s leading scorer, made a 17-foot jumper and a three-pointer to give Oklahoma City a 107-103 lead with 1:02 remaining and the Thunder sealed the win at the free throw line to improve to 15-8 on the season.
Russell Westbrook scored 14 of his 25 points in the third quarter to help the Thunder claw their way back and send Minnesota (5-17) to its eighth loss in nine games.
Michael Beasley had 26 points while Kevin Love had 22 and 21 rebounds — his fifth 20-20 performance of the season – for the Timberwolves.
The leading rebounder in the NBA, Love has grabbed at least 15 rebounds in eight straight games.
Minnesota scored 40 points in the first quarter to take a 40-22 lead but managed just 39 second-half points to let the game slip away.
The Thunder were able to turn up their defense in the second half and reserve Serge Ibaka sparked the team with eight blocks.
“Not only did he get eight, but he probably altered five or six more,” said Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks. “I thought defensively in the second half we were as good as we’ve been all year.”