Thunder Down Lakers – NBA Roundup For March 6th

UNDATED (AP) — The Oklahoma City Thunder are a little closer to the NBA's Western Conference lead after holding off the Los Angeles Lakers Tuesday night.

Russell Westbrook had 37 points and 10 rebounds as the Thunder downed the Lakers 112-105. Oklahoma City blew most of an 18-point lead in the fourth quarter before closing on an 11-0 run to secure the victory.

Kevin Durant had 27 points for the Thunder, who tied a league record with no turnovers and moved within 2 ½ games of the West-leading San Antonio Spurs.

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant ended up with 30 points after leaving the game with a right elbow injury in the first quarter. Steve Nash matched his season best with 20 points as the Lakers fell back below .500.

Denver and Boston also won Tuesday.

Ty Lawson scored 24 points and Danilo Gallinari added 23 as the Nuggets won their sixth in a row, beating Sacramento 120-113. Kenneth Faried had 19 points and 12 rebounds for the Nuggets, who shot 64 percent in scoring 70 points in the second half.

Avery Bradley had a team-high 22 points, five assists and seven rebounds and the Celtics picked up their third straight win by beating the 76ers 109-101 in Philadelphia. Paul Pierce finished with 18 points and 11 rebounds as the Celtics pulled within 1 ½ games of Chicago and Brooklyn for fourth place in the conference.

NEW YORK (AP) — Oklahoma City forward Serge Ibaka (ih-BAH'-kah) has been fined $25,000 by the NBA for striking Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers in the groin area during Sunday's game.

The league also upgraded the Flagrant Foul 1 Ibaka was given for hitting Griffin as the two battled for position in the paint to a Flagrant Foul 2, meaning Ibaka should have been ejected from the game.