Oklahoma City Thunder: Kevin Durant scores 35 points as OKC holds off Clippers

Thanks in large part to point guard Russell Westbrook, OKC conquered all Sunday afternoon en route to a 108-104 survival mission before a hostile sellout crowd of 19,371 at Staples Center.

The Clippers were well on their way to an impressive comeback victory, wiping out a 12-point, fourth-quarter deficit with more than half that deficit made up in one crazy possession.

With 1:52 remaining and the Thunder leading 99-93, OKC forward Serge Ibaka punched former Oklahoma great Blake Griffin in the nether region under the basket while forward Matt Barnes was in the process of draining a 3-pointer.

Barnes basket counted; Ibaka was whistled for a Flagrant I foul that shockingly was not upgraded to a Flagrant II; Griffin hit one of two free throws; the Clippers got possession of the ball; missed two shots, but got two offensive rebounds; then Jamal Crawford hit a 3-pointer to give LA its first lead of the game at 100-99 with 1:30 left.

That's when Westbrook took control, on the court and in the huddle.

Much has been made of the maniacal Westbrook, who frequently has failed to keep his wits about him in crucial moments throughout his career.

The exact opposite was true against the Clippers, and Thunder coach Scott Brooks has grown weary of withholding information of just how valuable Westbrook is to his team.

“I'll give Russell a lot of credit,” Brooks said. “He got the guys together. There was some good dialogue with all of his teammates and we made plays down at the end of the game. Those three or four plays were executed, and he did a good job of making sure that we did execute them.”

Westbrook's timing was impeccable, scoring 14 points in the first quarter and 10 points in the final six minutes of the game. He finished with 29 points, 10 assists and six rebounds.

Because of Westbrook, the Clippers held the lead for just five seconds after he drove down the middle for a layup to give OKC the lead for good with 1:25 left.

With 26.7 seconds remaining, Westbrook drained a 16-footer jumper from the left baseline to give the Thunder a 106-102 cushion.