Thunder clinch NBA top seed in West

OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma (AFP) –

Oklahoma City Thunder‘s Kevin Durant (R) Serge Ibaka high five during a game at Staples Center in Los Angeles on March 3, 2013. The Thunder clinched home court advantage throughout the Western Conference playoffs by beating Sacramento 104-95.

The Oklahoma City Thunder clinched home court advantage throughout the Western Conference playoffs by beating Sacramento 104-95 behind a 29-point effort from Kevin Durant.

“We were just trying to get some deflections and use our length a little bit to get out and score,” Durant said on Monday. “I think we did a good job of finishing.”

Durant also had eight assists and seven rebounds for the Thunder who scored 62 points in the paint compared to just 46 for the Kings in front of a crowd of 18,203 at Chesapeake Energy Arena.

Russell Westbrook finished with 21 points and eight assists, while Serge Ibaka had 14 points, seven rebounds and two blocks in the National Basketball Association win.

Isaiah Thomas was the lone starter to reach double figures for the Kings as he finished with 16.

Travis Outlaw had 15 points while Cole Aldrich posted a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds.

The Thunder’s victory also means they completed the sweep of Sacramento in the season series.

Oklahoma City extended its lead to 24 points on two different occasions but the Kings refused to quit and Aldrich made it a 14-point game with an offensive rebound and jumper on their final possession of the third quarter.

Reggie Jackson finished off a driving layup to send the Thunder into the fourth quarter with an 83-67 lead.

“Just getting some defensive stops,” Jackson said when asked about the keys to victory.

“That’s how we try to start the game. Who knows how the playoffs are going to go, every possession matters. We just got some key stops. Our guys did a good job pushing the lead again and just letting us finish.”