LEAD: Thunder spank Spurs for third win in three nights

By Paul Leviine Jan 9, 2012, 6:26 GMT

Los Angeles - The San Antonio Spurs hadn't missed a beat since losing All-Star guard Manu Ginobili to a broken hand three games ago, but Sunday night they took it on the chin.

Kevin Durant had 21 points with 10 rebounds and seven assists as the Oklahoma City Thunder bounced the visiting Spurs, 108-96, to become the first team to win three games in three nights.

'We weren't concerned with the three games (in three nights), we're concerned about each game on each night,' Thunder head coach Scott Brooks said.

'I knew our guys were going to compete and they were going to give everything they had for the three games. You were hoping that you could win them all. Fortunately for us, we did.'

James Harden scored 20 points, while fellow reserve Nick Collison had 12 points and 10 boards for Oklahoma City (8-2), which swept the Houston Rockets to start the weekend.

Ahead 54-48 at halftime, the Thunder took control by outscoring their guests in game-breaking 37-21 third quarter, hitting 12-of-17 floor shots, 10-of-11 free throws, and dominating the boards, 13-4.

Durant and Russell Westbrook combined for 21 points that opened up a 91-69 Thunder cushion heading into the final frame, and coasted to its first win over the Spurs in the last seven meetings.

'They played very well and they kicked our butts in the third quarter,' Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich said. 'They did a great job.'

Gary Neal scored 18 points but starting point guard Tony Parker finished with just four points on 1-of-8 shooting for the Spurs, who were playing their fourth game in five nights.

Elsewhere: Minnesota Timberwolves 93, Washington Wizards 72: Kevin Love collected 20 points with 16 rebounds, Spanish rookie guard Ricky Rubio had 13 points and 14 assists, and the visiting T-Wolves extended the Wizards' franchise-worst start to 0-8.

Phoenix Suns 109, Milwaukee Bucks 93: Polish-native Marcin Gortat led seven players in double figures with 18 points, while Steve Nash dished out 17 assists, and the Suns beat the Bucks in Phoenix for the 24th consecutive time since Feb. 21, 1987.

The Suns' home domination is the NBA's second-longest active streak behind San Antonio's 27 wins a row over Golden State.

Tobias Harris had 15 points for Milwaukee, which finished 0-5 on its road trip.

Orlando Magic 104, Sacramento Kings 97: With superstar Dwight Howard plagued with foul trouble, Jason Richardson picked up the slack with a season-high 22 points, Glen Davis added 20 and the visiting Magic dropped the Kings.

Perennial All Star centre Howard made 1-of-2 shots and finished with all five points in the fourth quarter, his lowest total since December 24, 2009, and grabbed four rebounds in 20 minutes.

Tyreke Evans tallied 28 points for Sacramento, which dropped to 1-1 since Keith Smart replaced fired head coach Paul Westphal.

LA Lakers 90, Memphis Grizzlies 82: Kobe Bryant scored 26 points, Andrew Bynum had 15 points with as many rebounds, and the Lakers won their sixth straight home game despite committing 27 turnovers.

Rudy Gay netted 19 and newcomer Marresse Speights had 17 for Memphis, which is without its leading scorer Zach Randolph for 6-8 weeks with a knee injury.

Portland Trail Blazers 98, Cleveland Cavaliers 78: LaMarcus Aldridge scored 28 points, Wesley Matthews had 24 and the Trail Blazers pulled away, to run their home mark to 4-0 this season.

Kyrie Irving, the top pick in last summer's NBA draft, had 21 points for Cleveland, which was outscored 56-43 in the second half