THE OKC Thunder’s (25-5) 9-1 record in the last ten games, and their three wins this week have seen them close the week atop the Western Conference, a game ahead of the Portland Trailblazers (24-6).

A Christmas Day 29 points from Kevin Durant led them to a 123-94 win over the woeful NY Knicks before they stopped the Charlotte Bobcats 89-84. In James Harden’s return to Oklahoma, and with Russell Westbrook still out after his Friday surgery, it was again Kevin Durant who went off for 33 points and 13 rebounds to give OKC the 117-86 win.

Meanwhile Chris Bosh had 37 points, including a game-winning triple to supplement his 10 rebounds and help the Miami Heat overcome Portland 108-107. Meanwhile there were two battles for Texas this season as Dirk Nowitzki’s 31 points outshined Dwight Howard’s 29 points and 15 rebounds to give the Mavericks a 111-104 win over the Rockets. Third-ranked San Antonio was then at the Rockets, with Spurs coming out with the 111-98 victory.

The Phoenix Suns and Miles Plumlee have been a surprise package this season, holding down sixth place with a record of 18-11. There most recent victory came in a 115-101 performance against the 76ers as Plumlee had a double-double.

Business as usual over holidays

THE teams with winning records have gone on winning and the teams below .500 remain below .500. The Indiana Pacers remain at the top with a record of 24-5, trailed by the Miami Heat with 23-7 and finally the Atlanta Hawks with 17-14.

The Pacers added to the misery of the Brooklyn Nets as George Hill had 23 points in a 105-91 win. The Nets have a record of 10-20.

However, the Knicks continue to underperform, despite Amare Stoudemire playing like his old self, and lag far behind a percentage of .300. The Hawks and the Charlotte Bobcats had quite a thriller, as Paul Millsap had 33 points and 13 rebounds to give the Hawks a 118-116 overtime win in Charlotte.

The Jazz suffered yet another embarrassing defeat as Blake Griffin and the LA Clippers came to town. Griffin had 40 points and 10 rebounds as the Clippers won 98-90.

— Yakum Fitz-Henley