Sports

Durant destroys Nuggets

OKLAHOMA CITY — Kevin Durant scored 41 points, Russell Westbrook had two crucial late baskets among his 31 points and the Thunder pulled out a 107-103 win against the Nuggets last night in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series.

The Thunder leaned heavily on its two All-Stars, who both scored their most points in the postseason.

Westbrook had the go-ahead jumper from the right side with 1:06 left, as several Nuggets looked for it to be waved off with several hands near the rim anxious for a tip-in. Kenyon Martin then missed a jumper from the left wing before Westbrook struck again to make it 104-101 with 22.4 seconds left.

Raymond Felton missed a potential tying 3-pointer with 12 seconds left, and Oklahoma City closed it out at the foul line.

Nene led Denver with 22 point, and Danilo Gallinari scored 18. Gallinari hit a jumper from the right side to give the Nuggets a 101-100 edge with 3:06 to play, but Denver didn’t connect on any of its final five shots down the stretch.

Eric Maynor chipped in 12 points for Oklahoma City, which had no one else score more than five.