Stars steer Thunder over Nuggets

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook had 30 points, 12 assists and nine rebounds to lead the Thunder back from an 11-point, second-half deficit to beat Denver 122-112 Sunday. The Thunder pushed their lead in the Northwest Division out to 7-1/2 games, while another important result saw Boston beat New York to widen the gap between the Atlantic Division rivals and move the Celtics within a game of leader Toronto. Westbrook’s efforts were complemented by Kevin Durant, who recorded his eighth double-double of the season with 26 points and 10 assists. Oklahoma City shot a season-best 57.8 percent from the field. The Thunder trailed as late as the 8:13 mark of the fourth quarter before taking control with an 11-2 run. Kenneth Faried had 25 points and 11 points for the Nuggets, who have lost five of their past six games overall and six straight games at Oklahoma City. “I do think we’re capable of being better,” Thunder coach Billy Donovan said. “I think we’ve shown that. I think the concentration, the focus and just the will to defend at the level I think we’re capable of defending has to be an area we continue to grow and get better at.” Celtics 100, Knicks 91: Forward Jae Crowder scored 13 of his 18 points in the third quarter as the Boston Celtics handed the New York Knicks a fourth successive loss. Crowder, given the task of guarding Carmelo Anthony, hounded the Knicks’ forward into a bad shooting performance as he made just 11-for-26 from the floor, though still managed to score a game high 29 points. The Celtics moved within a game of the idle Toronto Raptors in the Atlantic Division. Grizzlies 112, Lakers 96: Point guard Mike Conley scored 19 points with five assists as the Memphis Grizzlies breezed past the Los Angeles Lakers. Memphis forward Jeff Green finished with 17 points, center Marc Gasol scored 16 points with six assists, power forward Zach Randolph had 16 points off the bench and guard Courtney Lee scored 13 points. Trail Blazers 98, Kings 94: Guard C.J. McCollum scored 35 points and the Portland Trail Blazers used a late surge to defeat the Sacramento Kings 98-94 at Sleep Train Arena. McCollum canned 13-of-27 shots to help the Blazers (13-20) to their second win in as many nights. He came up with a loose ball and converted a jumper for a 93-87 lead, then sank a wing jumper with 31 seconds made it 95-89. Kings center DeMarcus Cousins finished with 36 points and six rebounds. — Agencies