OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — After the lowest-scoring half of his career and the lowest-scoring half of Oklahoma City's season, Kevin Durant and the Thunder made a collective decision at halftime Sunday night to play more aggressively.
Durant and running mate Russell Westbrook provided much of the fuel as the Thunder rallied from a 16-point deficit to beat Utah 104-98 in overtime, the Thunder's second win over the Jazz in a three-day span.
Durant scored 31 points — all but two after halftime — and Westbrook added 25 points, 11 rebounds and five assists for the Thunder, who have won nine straight home games against Utah dating to the 2010-11 season. Oklahoma City extended its longest winning streak of the season to five games, but not before a mid-game shift.
"I was getting a little frustrated with myself and I just had to calm down," Durant said about his first-half struggles. "At halftime, I just told myself to calm down and go get the ball and try to score. It's as simple as that — try to score and then that's what opened it up for my teammates."
