The Oklahoma City tandem of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook were too much for the New York Knicks to handle on Tuesday as the Thunder won 128-122 in overtime at Madison Square Garden.
Durant poured in a season-high 44 points, and Westbrook produced his 30th double-double of the season. It was the second time this season Durant went over the 40-point mark after he scored 43 against the Orlando Magic on October 30.
"I'm not really into how many points I score anymore," said Durant, a four-time league scoring champion.
"I try to play winning and consistent basketball. If I play a good brand of basketball, if I play the right way, that stuff will come."
Durant pulled down three of his 14 rebounds in overtime. He shot 12-for-26 from the floor and 16-for-18 from the line.
Westbrook recorded 30 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds for the Thunder (34-13).
The duo's output was significant considering their resiliency on the court. Westbrook logged 44 minutes, while Durant played 43 minutes.
"It is really hard to sustain that type of intensity," Thunder coach Billy Donovan said. "They are human, and they need a break every once in a while.
"The minutes they have gotten as of late has been managed reasonably."
The Knicks (22-25) were without leading scorer Carmelo Anthony, who has a sore left knee. New York are 0-5 without the Eastern Conference All Star, who is averaging 21.3 points this season.
"Every team is impacted when certain guys are out of the lineup," Knicks coach Derek Fisher said. "That being said, we still had enough to win the game.
"We often focus on the last play of the game. In reality, you have to get a stop, and that was part of the game we couldn't sustain."
Fisher said Anthony's injury is a "day-to-day thing."
Durant's two free throws and a basket from Serge Ibaka gave the Thunder a 120-116 edge in overtime before Galloway's three-pointer brought the Knicks within a point with 1:43 left.
Durant's 13-foot jumper tied the game for the 22nd time, 113-113, with 16 seconds to go. New York guard Arron Afflalo's baseline jumper at the buzzer went off the back rim.
"Arron is a guy who has closed for us before," Fisher said of the last shot.
"He is comfortable and confident in those situations. Typically what you find is guys who are comfortable in those positions find a way to get the ball because they want the opportunity."
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