Westbrook’s Thunder defeat Dallas in NBA

The Oklahoma City Thunder won the battle of the two Western Conference giants by beating the Dallas Mavericks 95-86 behind Russell Westbrook’s brilliant 33-point performance on Wednesday.

Westbrook drained a key three pointer with 32.2 seconds left in the fourth quarter to give the Thunder a seven-point lead, 92-85.

Westbrook then helped ice the win by making one of two free throws with 19.6 seconds left.

Kevin Durant finished with 23 points and 13 rebounds and Serge Ibaka had 11 rebounds for the Thunder who have a NBA-best 17 wins and four losses.

Jason Terry scored 25 points and Shawn Marion finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Mavericks who had their modest three-game winning streak snapped.

Marion had 11 of his points in the first half as Dallas led 52-49 heading into the third quarter.

The Thunder led 71-66 at the end of the third but the Mavericks fought back to tie the score in the fourth before Oklahoma City closed it out with a 10-1 run.

Dallas dropped to 14-9 on the season as their star forward Dirk Nowitzki had an off night, shooting just two of 15 from the field and finishing with eight points and eight rebounds.

It was Nowitzki’s third game back after sitting out four games to rest a balky knee.

Mavericks veteran point guard Jason Kidd missed his third consecutive game with a strained right calf.

Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle was ejected from the game in the second half after he knocked the ball into the stands in frustration, hitting a spectator.

Carlisle walked over to the area where the fan was sitting and apologised before heading to the Dallas dressing room.

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