Durant carries Thunder past Hawks

LOS ANGELES — Kevin Durant posted a triple double as the Oklahoma City Thunder won their eighth game in the last 10 with a 107-94 victory over the Atlanta Hawks Thursday. Forward Durant shot eight-of-14 from the field en route to 25 points, and added 10 assists and 12 rebounds in front of a crowd of 18,200 at Chesapeake Energy Arena. “I just try to play the game and make it simple for myself,” Durant said. “I knew last time they expected me to be aggressive and score every time I got the ball. So I just tried to switch the game up. Get Serge (Ibaka) open. Get Russ (Westbrook) shots. Get Steven (Adams) shots. “I think it’s contagious when your top guys do that. Russ did a great job of setting the tone.” Forward Ibaka had 23 points and 10 rebounds. Guard Westbrook finished with 23 points, 10 assists and six rebounds for Oklahoma City, who were coming off a 125-88 rout of the Memphis Grizzlies. It was the first time Westbrook and Durant each had at least 20 points and 10 assists as the Thunder displayed the offence that they hope makes them a title contender in the Western Conference. Guard Kent Bazemore came off the Atlanta bench to score 22 points on seven-of-11 shooting. Jeff Teague scored 18 points for the Hawks, but forward Paul Millsap was held to seven points and eight rebounds. Atlanta began the season 7-1 but has now dragged through a 5-9 lull. Bulls 83, Clippers 80 Chicago protected a fourth-quarter lead to hold off Los Angeles and end a three-game losing streak with an 83-80 victory. The Clippers, who had a three-game win streak snapped, shot a season-low 34.1 percent from the field. Los Angeles had also won five straight against the Bulls at the United Center. Pau Gasol scored 24 points to lead four Bulls in double figures. Blake Griffin, who was ejected with 5:59 left in the third quarter for a flagrant foul, led the Clippers with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Nets 100, 76ers 91 Andrea Bargnani scored 13 of his season-high 23 points during the fourth quarter, helping Brooklyn survive a challenge from Philadelphia. Though he struggled at times defensively against Philadelphia rookie Jahlil Okafor, Bargnani made up for it by hitting four shots in the final 12 minutes and eight of 15 overall. Former 76er Thaddeus Young had 18 points and 11 rebounds. Okafor paced Philadelphia with 22 points and 10 boards. Kings 99, Knicks 97 Center DeMarcus Cousins finished with 27 points and 11 rebounds, guard Rajon Rondo added 16 points, 12 assists and nine rebounds, and the Sacramento Kings held off a furious rally by the New York Knicks for a 99-97 win. Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony finished with 23 points, his best output in four games for New York, but he missed a three-pointer from the top of the arc that would have won it. Anthony appeared to be fouled on the play. NBA All-Star voting begins Fan voting to determine starting lineups in the 65th NBA All-Star Game began Thursday for next February’s clash in Toronto, the first matchup between the elite squads staged beyond US borders. An all-digital program allows NBA fans worldwide to vote for Eastern Conference and Western Conference starters in the Feb. 14, 2016, contest at Toronto at the NBA’s website or via the NBA App. — Agencies