Thunder Beats Pistons In Heart-Stopper, Clinches No. 2 Seed

Kevin Durant was the hero Wednesday night, scoring 42 points including the game-winning shot to help lift the Thunder past the Detroit Pistons in OKC.  

The win secures the No. 2 seed in the West, where the Thunder will play the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Thunder came out sluggish, similarly to Monday's performance at New Orleans. The Pistons led 30-28 after the first quarter and extended their lead to 11 in the second.

It took most of the half, but Oklahoma City turned it on late in the second quarter.  Durant nailed a pull-up jumper as time expired to get the Thunder within 55-54 at the break.

Back to back Serge Ibaka jumpers put the Thunder up 59-57 early in the third, but Detroit kept coming. The feisty Pistons built their lead back to eight by the end of the third quarter and had Chesapeake Arena wondering what the heck was going on.

Durant got past Kyle Singler for a jam with 8:08 to play in the fourth to bring OKC within 97-93, but back-to-back Detroit jumpers put the Pistons right back up eight.

 It looked for a while like no matter how rowdy the crowd got and how many big buckets OKC would score, the Thunder just wasn't capable of stringing together any stops.

But Durant and Russell Westbrook refused to lose.  

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The dynamic duo scored 22 of the Thunder's final 24 points, including a Durant layup with 16 seconds remaining to put the Thunder up 122-111.  

Westbrook added 22 points, eight assists, six rebounds and six steals, while Reggie Jackson added 15 off the OKC bench.

Detroit was led by Kentavious Caldwell-Pope's 30 points, while Andre Drummond and Greg Monroe each added 22.  Singler chipped in 20.

Much more to come on this game, including quotes from Scott Brooks and the Thunder players.