Russell Westbrook scored 16 points, out of which eight came in overtime, to help Oklahoma City Thunder sneak past the Dallas Mavericks 111-105. The OT victory was OKC's 11th straight win at home.
At one point the Mavs were leading 104-101 and were looking on course to win the game, but with the help of a layup, jumper and a steal Westbrook scored six straight points and turned the game in the Thunders' favor.
"I just try to make an impact on the game," the Associated Press quoted Westbrook as saying. "Maybe it's not scoring. Maybe it's rebounding, maybe it's passing, maybe it's defending.
"But I just try to make an impact on the game every night."
Westbrook, who missed eight of his first 10 shots, also had 10 assists, six rebounds and three steals. He struggled to contain Darren Collison, who forced the overtime with a three-pointer at the buzzer.
"Sometimes there's nights like that," Westbrook said. "You've just got to continue to play, fight through it and play your game."
"He kept fighting and kept fighting for the team," Thunder coach Scott Brooks added. " ... I love Russell. I love what he does.
"I love what he's about. He competes every time. He's a big part of why we're a good team."
Kevin Durant was the top scorer with 40 points, eight rebounds, five assists and one steal, while Serge Ibaka added 19 points and chipped in with 17 rebounds. Reserve Kevin Martin scored 18 points and grabbed seven rebounds.
Dallas started off better and took an eight-point lead in the first quarter, but the Thunder outscored them 22-16 in the second quarter. In the third Dallas extended their lead by scoring 36 against the opponents' 30 points.
But Oklahoma City bounced back with a 17-6 run in the fourth-quarter, before Westbrook came up trumps in overtime.
In the extra five-minute period, Shawn Marion came in for Dirk Nowitzki, who was struggling to keep pace with the game after only recently returning from a long-term injury.
"I didn't really want the ball that much," Nowitzki said. "I don't really feel like I've got the stamina, the lift to do something out there with the ball, make a one-on-one move.
"I think that I'm a week or two away from really dominating the ball down the stretch and making some stuff happen."
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