Oklahoma City at New Jersey

[Real Deal]

TIME: 8:00 PM ET

TV: NBALP

[Real Deal]

NEWARK, N.J. -- The Oklahoma City Thunder found a third ingredient to go along with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook against the New Jersey Nets: some much-needed defense on a night they were held to a season-low in points.

 

Durant had 20 points and a season-high 15 rebounds, Westbrook added 21 points and six assists and the Thunder limited the Nets to 31 percent shooting from the field, including 3 of 23 from long range, in an 84-74 victory Saturday night.

 

The win came just three days after Oklahoma City was stunned by Washington in a game where they blew a 12-point second-half lead and were outrebounded.

 

"It was a tough loss for us," Durant said. "I think it was a game we should have won. Tonight, we let that go, we played hard and our defense was great tonight and we finished it with rebounding, so I am glad we got this win on the road."

 

Thunder coach Scott Brooks gave a lot of the credit to his guards, who made the Nets take some tough shots. He also got a lot of help from his big guys inside, with Serge Ibaka getting a season-high five blocks and the team recording 10 overall, one shy of its season high.

 

"Defense is an ingredient in everything for us," said Durant, who said he made a conscious effort to go to the boards. "We got out with steals and got some fastbreak points. Guys played together tonight and that's what we need for us to win."

 

Westbrook, playing in his first game since signing a five-year, $80 million contract extension, said the Thunder did a good job of getting their hands on loose balls and contesting the Nets' shots from long range.

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/recap/NBA_20120121_OKC@NJ