Russell Westbrook had 37 points and 10 rebounds, Kevin Durant scored 26 and the host Oklahoma City Thunder held off a second-half charge to beat the improving Los Angeles Lakers 122-105 on Tuesday night.

The Thunder led from start to finish but had its 18-point lead whittled down to five midway through the fourth quarter. Serge Ibaka, who dodged a suspension after delivering a low blow against Blake Griffin in Oklahoma City's previous game, hit a 3-pointer and Westbrook had a two-handed slam as the Thunder scored the last 12 points. Los Angeles didn't score for the last 6:14.

Kobe Bryant scored 30 points after leaving the game with a right elbow injury in the first quarter. Steve Nash matched his season best with 20 points as the Lakers fell back below .500 after reaching the mark for the first time since December.

Oklahoma City tied an NBA record with two turnovers.

  • Ibaka has been fined $25,000 by the NBA for striking the Los Angeles Clippers' Griffin in the groin area during Sunday's game. The league also upgraded the Flagrant-1 foul Ibaka was given for hitting Griffin as the two battled for position in the paint to a Flagrant-2, meaning Ibaka should have been ejected.

    Nuggets 120, Kings 113: Ty Lawson had 24 points and Danilo Gallinari added 23 as Denver won its sixth straight game, defeating host Sacramento. The Nuggets scored 70 second-half points when they shot nearly 64 percent.

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