OKLAHOMA CITY, Dec. 25 (UPI) -- Kevin Durant poured in 44 points and grabbed seven rebounds Saturday, powering the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 114-106 decision over Denver.
Durant reached the 40-point mark for the third time this season, going 14-of-20 from the field and connecting on 12-of-15 free throws for the Thunder, who won for the eighth time in 10 home games.
James Harden scored 21 points off the bench and Russell Westbrook chipped in 19 points for the victors.
The Nuggets narrowed their deficit to 83-82 on Chris Andersen's two foul shots with 2 minutes remaining in the third quarter, but the Thunder then reeled off an 11-3 run to put the contest away, capped by Harden's lay-in off a feed from Thabo Sefolosha.
Chauncey Billips scored 30 points and Nene added 21 points and 12 rebounds for the Nuggets, who again played without star forward Carmelo Anthony.
Anthony missed his second straight game due to the death of his sister.
