Thunder stomp Bulls, 1 game back for best record

By Jeff Latzke

Associated Press

Published: Sunday, April 1 2012 2:00 p.m. MDT

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Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) and forward Kevin Durant (35) exchange high-fives following a basket by Westbrook in the second quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls in Oklahoma City, Sunday, April 1, 2012.

Sue Ogrocki, Associated Press

Summary

Russell Westbrook scored 27 points, Kevin Durant added 26 points and 10 rebounds and the Oklahoma City Thunder used a dominating third quarter to beat Chicago 92-78 on Sunday and move within a game of the Bulls in the race for the NBA's best record.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Russell Westbrook scored 27 points, Kevin Durant added 26 points and 10 rebounds and the Oklahoma City Thunder used a dominating third quarter to beat Chicago 92-78 on Sunday and move within a game of the Bulls in the race for the NBA's best record.

The Thunder (40-12) pulled away by outscoring Chicago 31-12 in the third quarter, allowing the Bulls to make only five of their 21 shots.

Oklahoma City clinched a playoff berth in the process, with the help of tiebreakers over the teams fighting for the Western Conference's final spot in the postseason.

The Bulls (42-12) played without All-Star point guard Derrick Rose for the 10th straight game, falling to 14-6 this season without the reigning MVP and 7-3 during his current absence with a groin injury.

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