OKLAHOMA CITY: Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook had 30 points, 12 assists and nine rebounds to lead the Thunder back from an 11-point, second-half deficit to beat Denver 122-112 on Sunday.
The Thunder pushed their lead in the Northwest Division out to 7-1/2 games, while another important result saw Boston beat New York to widen the gap between the Atlantic Division rivals and move the Celtics within a game of leader Toronto.
Westbrook’s efforts were complemented by Kevin Durant, who recorded his eighth double-double of the season with 26 points and 10 assists.
Oklahoma City shot a season-best 57.8 percent from the field. The Thunder trailed as late as the 8:13 mark of the fourth quarter before taking control with an 11-2 run.
Kenneth Faried had 25 points and 11 points for the Nuggets, who have lost five of their past six games overall and six straight games at Oklahoma City.
Boston’s Isaiah Thomas had a pair of key baskets and finished with 21 points as the Celtics defeated New York 100-91 and notched a fourth straight win.
Evan Turner scored 19 for Boston, whose late five-point lead seemed vulnerable before Thomas had consecutive driving baskets to push the gap to nine and put the Celtics back in charge.
Carmelo Anthony led the Knicks with 29 points despite shooting just 11 of 26. New York shot just 37.1 percent and lost its fourth straight.
Portland’s C.J. McCollum had 35 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists to lead the Trail Blazers to a 98-94 win against Sacramento.
The Blazers outscored Sacramento 18-14 in the fourth quarter to claim their second straight victory. They were coming off a convincing 105-76 win Saturday over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
DeMarcus Cousins had 36 points and six rebounds for the Kings. Omri Casspi had 14 points and 10 rebounds, and Rajon Rondo finished with nine points and 15 assists.
Kings coach George Karl was denied his 1,155th victory, which would have tied him with Phil Jackson for fifth place on the career list.
Meyers Leonard made four 3-pointers and had 16 points and 11 rebounds for the Blazers. Maurice Harkness added 13 points.
The Celtics opened an 88-78 lead on Turner’s driving basket with 6:11 to play, but the Knicks cut it to 90-85 before Thomas had consecutive driving baskets to push the lead back to nine.
An accurate Memphis led from start to finish in beating the struggling Los Angeles Lakers 112-96.
Westbrook rallies Thunder past Nuggets



