Sports Shorts
In Oklahoma City, Kevin Durant scored a career-best 51 points for the top performance in the NBA this season, Russell Westbrook added 40 and Serge Ibaka had his first career triple-double with 11 blocks as the Thunder beat the Nuggets 124-118 in overtime last night.
Durant hit a 3-pointer and drove for a dunk to tie the game with 4.4 seconds left in regulation, then used the extra period to chalk up the first 50-point game of the two-time scoring champion’s career.
Kobe Bryant lashed out at Lakers management in a profanity-laced monologue after a 102-90 loss at Phoenix for leaving teammate Pau Gasol wondering whether he’s about to be traded.
“If they’re going to do something, I wish they would just … do it,” Bryant said.
In Miami, Dwyane Wade scored 27 points, LeBron James had 25 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists, and the NBA-leading Heat beat the Magic 90-78 for their sixth consecutive victory to improve to 25-7.
The Red Wings won their 23rd straight at Joe Louis Arena, setting an NHL multiple-season mark for home dominance by holding on to beat the Sharks 3-2. Detroit broke the league’s single-season record of 20 on Tuesday.
In St. Paul, Minn., Niklas Backstrom made a career-high 48 saves for his fourth shutout of the season to lead the Wild to a 2-0 win over the Bruins. … In Buffalo, Derek Roy scored twice as the Sabres downed the Penguins 6-2.
In Boston, Seth Curry scored 18 points and No. 5 Duke didn’t need another late rally as it cruised to a 75-50 win over Boston College.
In Iowa City, Iowa, Matt Gaten scored a career-high 30 points and Iowa beat No. 18 Indiana 78-66.
Trinity College’s streak of 13 national championships in men’s squash is over after host Princeton edged the Bantams 5-4 for the title.
