Durant helps OKC hold off Timberwolves, 101-96

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Kevin Durant shrugged off a slow start to finish with 30 points for the Oklahoma City Thunder in a 101-96 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night.

Durant scored 12 straight for the Thunder in the final three minutes and also had seven rebounds.

Russell Westbrook added 22 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds to help the Thunder hold off a late charge from the struggling Wolves, one game after giving up a big lead to the Portland Trail Blazers. The Thunder made 9 of 22 3-pointers to cruise to their seventh win in nine games.

Zach LaVine broke out of a miserable slump with 21 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Shabazz Muhammad scored 20 points for the Timberwolves, who have lost seven straight games and 11 of their last 12.