Russell Westbrook scored 29 points, Kevin Durant added 26 in an off-shooting performance and the host Oklahoma City Thunder clawed out a 102-99 victory over defending champion Dallas on Monday night to take a 2-0 lead in the first-round playoff series.
Durant hit two free throws with 50.4 seconds left to give Oklahoma City a 98-97 lead, and James Harden hit four more free throws to close it out for the Thunder.
Mavericks guard Jason Terry missed two 3-point attempts from the left wing in the final five seconds that could have tied the score.
Dirk Nowitzki led Dallas with 31 points, and Shawn Marion scored 15. The Mavericks led in the closing minutes of both road games but couldn't manage a split.
Heat 104, Knicks 94: Game 2 probably wasn't all the Knicks lost.
Amare Stoudemire left the building with his arm in a sling and what appeared to be a bulky wrap over his left hand, long after the Heat took control of the teams' Eastern Conference first-round series, going up 2-0.
Stoudemire suffered a severe laceration when he punched a glass fire extinguisher case outside the team's locker room after the loss. The series resumes Thursday in New York, and although the Knicks were saying nothing for certain, it seems unlikely Stoudemire will play.
"I am so mad at myself right now, I want to apologize to the fans and my team, not proud of my actions, headed home for a new start," Stoudemire
wrote on Twitter after the Knicks left the arena.The situation already was grim for the Knicks after losing Game 2.
Dwyane Wade scored 25 points, Chris Bosh added 21, and LeBron James finished with 19 points, nine assists and seven rebounds for the Heat, which sent the Knicks to their NBA record-tying 12th consecutive postseason loss.
Pacers 93, Magic 78: David West had 18 points and 11 rebounds to help host Indiana beat Orlando and even their Eastern Conference first-round series at one win apiece.
Indiana out-rebounded Orlando 26-13 in the second half and held the Magic to 36 percent shooting overall. Indiana has held the Magic below 40 percent shooting in both games.
"This time of year, games are a lot harder," Indiana forward Danny Granger said. "Everybody's playing twice as hard. You have to be the team with the most resolve, the team just playing with the most attitude to try to get the win.
Bobcats: Charlotte has decided not to bring back coach Paul Silas, 68, after going 7-59 for the worst winning percentage in league history (.106).
Celtics: The NBA suspended point guard Rajon Rondo for one game for sticking out his chest to bump referee Marc Davis while disputing a foul call.
He will serve the punishment Tuesday during Game 2 of the Celtics' series with Atlanta.
Clippers: Forward Caron Butler is probably out for the rest of the playoffs after breaking his left hand in Game 1 against Memphis on Monday.
Lakers: Forward Jordan Hill faces a felony assault charge after his girlfriend accused him of choking and shoving her in February.
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