OKLAHOMA CITY — Kevin Durant topped 30 points for the eighth consecutive game to lift the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 105-97 win in a battle for first place in the NBA's Northwest Division. Durant scored 12 of his 46 points in the final three and a half minutes Tuesday to give the Thunder a one-game lead over the Trail Blazers for top spot in the standings. The red-hot Durant shot 17-of-25 from the field and drained six-of-seven three pointers for Oklahoma City in front of a crowd of 18,203 at the Chesapeake Energy Arena. Durant, who is fresh of winning Western Conference player of the week honours, has been on a roll since teammate Russell Westbrook went down with an injury. The 25-year-old Durant has scored 30 or more points in eight straight National Basketball Association contests. The Thunder have nine wins and five losses since Westbrook underwent surgery on his knee. Oklahoma City was well rested heading into the game, having not played since a 108-90 win Sunday over Sacramento. Reggie Jackson finished with 15 points and seven rebounds for Oklahoma City, which trails San Antonio for the top spot in the Western Conference. Serge Ibaka and Derek Fisher each had 10 points. LaMarcus Aldridge collected 29 points and 16 rebounds for the Blazers, who have dropped two straight since a five-game winning streak. Wesley Matthews scored 21 points. Portland led 27-21 after the first quarter and took a 52-51 edge into halftime. The Thunder outscored the Blazers by a 26-23 margin in the third to take a 77-75 lead into the fourth. This was the first time in three contests the Thunder have beat the Blazers. Portland won the other two including one on New Year's Eve in Oklahoma. This was the second tough outing in a row for the Blazers, who were bashed 126-113 by Houston Monday. Their three-point specialist Damian Lillard missed all five of his attempts from beyond the arc Tuesday. Lillard has made a league leading 131 three pointers. Heat 93, Celtics 86: Playing a third consecutive game without guard Dwyane Wade (knee soreness), LeBron James led the way with 29 points as the Miami Heat defeated the Boston Celtics. The Heat scored the last nine points of the game to earn the win and improve to 30-12, good for second place in the Eastern Conference. It was a much needed win for the Heat, who entered Tuesday's contest having won just two of their previous six games. The Celtics (14-29) lost their 10th straight road game and also suffered injuries to Avery Bradley and Brandon Bass. Jazz 112, Timberwolves 97: Kevin Love flirted with a triple-double with 19 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists as Minnesota routed the Jazz for the second time in four nights. Kings 114, Pelicans 97: Rudy Gay matched his career high with 41 points, including five of eight from three-point range, to lift the Sacramento Kings to a victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. Nets 101, Magic 90: The Brooklyn Nets continue their red-hot month with a victory over the Orlando Magic. — Agencies
