Thunder hope to rebound, host Jazz
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Oklahoma City Thunder hope for a bounce-back effort when they entertain the Utah Jazz Wednesday night.
The Northwest-leading Thunder had a chance to grab the top spot in the Western Conference, but dropped a 105-93 decision at San Antonio on Monday. Kevin Durant poured in a game-high 26 points and Russell Westbrook followed with 25 points, six boards and six assists for the Thunder, who had won five in a row and eight of the last nine games.
Oklahoma City, which also got 13 points and 16 rebounds from Serge Ibaka, committed 19 turnovers for 25 San Antonio points. The Thunder had a 13-point lead in the opening quarter and led 32-22 after 12 minutes, but the Spurs used a 32-9 burst in the second stanza to get back on track.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}San Antonio had a 35-18 advantage in the second quarter.
"We turned the ball over too many times and we didn't play good enough defense," Thunder coach Scott Brooks admitted. "We just didn't have a good enough game to win here."
Brooks' squad is back home and will try for its sixth straight win at Chesapeake Energy Arena. The Thunder are 1 1/2 games behind the Spurs in the West standings and 28-4 as the host this season.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}OKC, which is 13-3 after a loss this season, will also welcome Orlando to town on this quick homestand.
Utah looks to stop a five-game road losing streak Wednesday and is only 10-23 away from Salt Lake City this season.
The Jazz recorded a 103-90 home victory over the Detroit Pistons the last time out as Mo Williams registered 20 points and six assists to lead the charge. Al Jefferson posted 16 points with 10 rebounds for Utah, which halted a four-game slide and is just 2-7 in the previous nine.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Enes Kanter and Marvin Williams scored 14 points apiece in the win.
"I thought we went out and played our best. We needed that game and everybody really played good basketball," Kanter said.
Utah's Paul Millsap sat for a second straight game with a knee injury and is questionable against the Thunder. Jazz guard Jamaal Tinsley (illness) is expected to miss Wednesday's game.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The 2012-13 series between Utah and Oklahoma City is tied at a game apiece with each team winning on its home floor. The Thunder have won six of eight matchups with the Jazz, losers of three straight in the Sooner State.