Kevin Durant had 26 points and the Oklahoma City Thunder won for the 12th time in their last 13 games with a 106-97 victory over a Minnesota Timberwolves team without Kevin Love. Love sat out the contest with a stiff neck.
Reggie Jackson added 20 points and nine assists for Oklahoma City, which became the NBA’s first team this season to 40 wins. The Thunder won for the ninth straight time at home against Minnesota, which entered the game 3½ games behind Dallas in the race for the eighth and final playoff spot from the Western Conference.
The Thunder have won eight straight home games and is 15-1 this season against Western Conference foes at Chesapeake Energy Arena.
Ricky Rubio had 19 points, eight rebounds and five assists for Minnesota.
