Westbrook leads Thunder to win over Hornets

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Russell Westbrook scored 29 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 98-75 victory over Charlotte on Friday night, snapping the Hornets' season-high four-game win streak.

Charlotte scored the game's first basket then the Thunder reeled off nine straight points to take a lead they never relinquished in winning for the second straight day.

Westbrook scored 13 points in the first quarter, and Oklahoma City opened a 59-40 halftime lead. Serge Ibaka added 13 points, 14 rebounds and blocked four shots for the Thunder. Neither player saw action in the final period.

Brian Roberts came off the bench to lead the Hornets with 17 points, 11 in the final period.

Al Jefferson, averaging 19.1 per game, didn't get his first basket until there were four minutes left in the first half and finished with just four points.

The Thunder played their fifth straight game without MVP Kevin Durant, who has a sprained ankle.

Westbrook, coming off of a 34-point effort in Thursday's win at San Antonio, started the game shooting 7 of 9. He finished with his 11th straight game of 25 points or more.

Jefferson and Kemba Walker combined to shoot just 4 of 20 from the field. Walker had just six points.

TIP-INS

Hornets: Charlotte's season-best streak of five consecutive 100-point games ended. The Hornets shot 25 for 87 (28.7 percent) and hit just 5-of-24 three-pointers.

Thunder: Durant participated in morning shoot around and coach Scott Brooks declared during pregame that he looked good and could return soon, but no timetable has been set. ... Durant holds the league record with 41 straight games of 25 points or more.

UP NEXT

Hornets : Host Orlando on Saturday.

Thunder: At Dallas on Sunday.