PHOENIX, March 31 (UPI) -- Kevin Durant and James Harden led the way with 22 points each Wednesday, lifting the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 116-98 victory over Phoenix.
The Thunder won their fifth in a row and reached 50 victories for the second straight year. They have a five-game lead over Denver with eight games remaining in the race for home-court advantage in the opening round of the playoffs.
Oklahoma City took a six-point lead into the fourth quarter and pulled away while shooting 53 percent for the game.
Harden made 7-of-9 shots, Russell Westbrook added 16 points and Serge Ibaka had 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Thunder.
Vince Carter led Phoenix with 28 points and Jared Dudley had 16. The Suns have lost four in a row and are 5 1/2 games behind Memphis for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
