MIAMI, March 16 (UPI) -- Kevin Durant scored 29 points Wednesday in pacing Oklahoma City to its fifth consecutive victory, a 96-85 decision over Miami.
The Heat appeared to be rolling after a 30-point win Monday over NBA-leading San Antonio, but the star threesome of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh struggled during the second half against the Thunder.
Oklahoma City has won eight out of nine since a three-game losing streak late last month. The Thunder maintained a 3 1/2-game lead over Denver in the Northwest Division.
Russell Westbrook made only 5-of-16 from the field for Oklahoma City but scored 18 points. Serge Ibaka had 12 rebounds.
James, Wade and Bosh combined to make just 4-of-24 shots in the second half.
Bosh and Wade both scored 21 points and James had 19. The remainder of the team had 24 points, 10 of those by Mike Bibby.
Miami had won three in a row and saw its lead over Orlando in the Southeast Division cut to 3 1/2 games.
