OKLAHOMA CITY — Kevin Durant had 29 points and 19 rebounds and snapped out of a shooting funk just in time to lead the decisive run in the first playoff game played in Oklahoma City, lifting the Thunder to a 101-96 victory over the Lakers on Thursday night.
Durant and Russell Westbrook scored 22 of the final 23 points for the Thunder, including every point during a 10-2 surge that put Oklahoma City ahead to stay.
The Lakers got back within 98-96 on Kobe Bryant’s layup with 13.5 seconds left, but the Thunder closed it out from the foul line to pull within 2-1 in the seven-game series.
Bryant scored 24 points to surpass Jerry West’s franchise record for playoff scoring.
Suns 108, Trail Blazers 89
PORTLAND, Ore. — Jason Richardson scored a playoff career-high 42 points and Phoenix dominated from the start to take a 2-1 series lead.
The Suns led by as many as 31 points before Portland mounted a rally in the fourth quarter, closing within 91-80 after Rudy Fernandez hit three consecutive 3-pointers.
The burst came too late for the Blazers, who suffered a setback when starting forward Nicolas Batum aggravated a shoulder injury in the first half and did not return.
Amar’e Stoudemire had 20 points for the Suns, while Steve Nash finished with 13 points and 10 assists.
Bulls 108, Cavaliers 106
CHICAGO — Derrick Rose scored 31 points, Kirk Hinrich added 27 and Chicago hung on to pull within 2-1 of the first- round series after its 21-point lead dwindled to one.
James scored 13 of his 39 points in the fourth quarter but also committed some turnovers down the stretch. Even so, the Cavaliers were within 107-106 after Mo Williams nailed a 3-pointer with 3.8 seconds left. They immediately fouled Luol Deng, who hit the first free throw but missed the second.
Cleveland’s Anthony Parker got the rebound and raced up the right side but missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer.
