Russell Westbrook scored 28 points and Kevin Durant added 19 on Friday night at EnergySolutions Arena, leading Western Conference front-runner Oklahoma City to a 101-87 victory over the Utah Jazz.
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The First: Jazz 30, Thunder 27
The Jazz miss five of their first seven shots, but they build a 19-15 lead on Raja Bell’s 3-pointer with 4:25 left. The Thunder convert their next five possessions, however, to prevent Utah from increasing its advantage.
The Second: Thunder 49, Jazz 44
Derrick Favors’ quick basket gives the Jazz a five-point lead. It’s 36-30 when Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook return to the floor. They score 10 points in the next four minutes and the Thunder go on a 16-4 run.
The Third: Thunder 74, Jazz 65
The Jazz outscores Oklahoma City, 14-7. They take a 58-56 lead. But Utah commits five turnovers, including three on consecutive possessions during a three-minute stretch. After a 16-4 run, the Thunder grab a 72-62 lead.
The Fourth: Thunder 101, Jazz 87
Enes Kanter converts twice and Josh Howard’s jumper makes it 78-73 with 9:05 left. But the Thunder beat Utah to a loose ball and Reggie Jackson hits a 16-footer. Oklahoma City scores seven straight points to regain control.
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Jazz-Oklahoma City box score
http://sltrib.sportsdirectinc.com/basketball/nba-boxscores.aspx?page=/data/NBA/results/2011-2012/boxscore838263.html