Thunder beat Spurs in duel of West's top teams

OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma (AFP) –

Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder reacts after a play on March 8, 2013. Westbrook scored a game-high 27 points Thursday to lead Oklahoma to a 100-88 NBA victory over San Antonio in a duel between the top teams in the Western Conference.

Russell Westbrook scored a game-high 27 points to lead Oklahoma City to a 100-88 NBA victory over San Antonio in a duel between the top teams in the Western Conference.

Westbrook also grabbed seven rebounds and handed out seven assists for the Thunder, who whittled the Spurs’ lead in the race for the best record in the West to one-half game.

Kevin Durant added 25 points, nine rebounds and six assists for the Thunder, while veteran Derek Fisher drained five three-pointers in contributing 17 points off the bench.

Oklahoma City have now won two straight games and five of their last six.

Tim Duncan and Kawhi Leonard both notched double-doubles for the Spurs, but San Antonio have lost three of their last four games.

Both Duncan and Leonard scored 24 points, Duncan adding 11 rebounds and Leonard pulling down 14.

The Spurs were again without injured Manu Ginobili, who is battling a hamstring problem.

Guard Tony Parker, who missed Wednesday’s 98-84 Spurs win over Orlando, returned but scored just two points, connecting on just one of six shots from the floor.