Durant scores 41, Thunder close out Nuggets
J.R. Smith #5 of the Denver Nuggets defends against James Harden #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals. (April 27, 2011) Credit: Getty Images
OKLAHOMA CITY — Kevin Durant matched his best playoff performance with 41 points, including the final nine for Oklahoma City, and the Thunder closed out their first-round series against the Denver Nuggets with a 100-97 victory in Game 5 on Wednesday night.
The Thunder overcame a nine-point deficit in the final 4 minutes, and Durant provided all the offense down the stretch to send the Oklahoma City franchise to its first playoff series win since it was still in Seattle in 2005.
Durant put the Thunder ahead to stay on two free throws with 46 seconds left. Serge Ibaka then swatted Nene's dunk attempt for his ninth block of the game.
Durant then added a 19-foot jumper to put the Thunder up 100-97 with 12 seconds left.
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