NBA: Nets clamp down on streaking Thunder as Durant ejected

Kevin Durant was ejected for the first time in his NBA career, allowing the Brooklyn Nets to hang on for the 110-93 win, Wednesday (Thursday, PHL time) at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, defeating Durant's Thunder team.

Durant was slapped with twin technicals at the 1:57 mark of the fourth quarter for arguing with referee Dan Crawford on the tail-end of a game-clinching Nets run.

Brooklyn, which had just fired their head coach Avery Johnson over the holiday season, was helmed by interim mentor PJ Carlesimo, who was himself fired by the Thunder back in the 2008-09 season. His return has so far proved to be more fruitful, with the Nets improving to 3-1 under his leadership, 17-15 overall.

Oklahoma City on the other hand saw their three-game win streak snapped, putting them at 24-7.

The visiting Nets led by as much as 23 points on a triple by Joe Johnson, 55-32, with 3:40 left in the second period. OKC closed out the quarter by doubling up on their foes, 12-6, to make it a 61-45 game at the break.

The Thunder kept up their rally coming out of halftime, dropping a 27-15 bomb that got them within four points, 76-72 with a quarter to play. Kevin Martin then arranged the first tie of the game at the 7:11 mark of the fourth period, knotting things at 85-all.

Brooklyn however countered with a 19-5 blast, which put them up 104-90 with just two minutes and change remaining. That built up to Durant's ejection, for arguing an offensive foul call on center Kendrick Perkins. Deron Williams proceeded to hit the two technical free throws, causing the Thunder to wave the white flag.

Joe Johnson had a game-high 33 points on 11-of-19 shooting, including a 5-of-10 clip from downtown. Brook Lopez added 25 points and five rebounds, while Deron Williams notched a double-double of 19 points and 13 assists.

Kevin Durant scores 27 points, making 11 of his 17 attempts from the floor, to lead the Thunder. Russell Westbrook pitched in with 26 points and 10 assists, while Serge Ibaka tallied 14 points, eight rebounds and five blocks.

The Thunder committed seven more turnovers than the Nets, 19-12, and they also shot fewer free throws, 17-29. - AMD, GMA News