HOUSTON, April 28 (UPI) -- Kevin Durant hit a late 3-pointer Saturday and Oklahoma City overcame a blown lead to edge Houston 104-101 and take a commanding first-round playoff lead.
With the Thunder trailing 99-97, Durant's shot with 41.9 seconds left bounced off the back and front rims before falling through and Oklahoma City held on to post a 3-0 advantage in their best-of-seven Western Conference quarterfinal series against the Rockets.
Durant finished with 41 points as Oklahoma City rebounded after letting a 66-49 halftime lead slip away, while playing without all-star Russell Westbrook, who is out for the post-season following knee surgery.
The Rockets had a chance to respond in the closing seconds but James Harden threw the ball away and the Thunder's Derek Fisher followed with two foul shots.
Harden (30 points, eight rebounds, six assists) got a basket back with 8 seconds remaining, but Reggie Jackson then sank a pair of free throws for the final margin.
Chandler Parsons supplied 21 points, seven rebounds and seven assists for the Rockets.
