knew he might be called upon again. And when he

CLEVELAND -- As the score tightened, Kevin Durant stayed loose. Sitting in his warm-ups on Oklahoma Citys bench, Durant knew he might be called upon again. And when he was, the NBAs leading scorer closed out Cleveland. "My minds always on the game so I didnt space out," he said. "I was instantly ready." Durant scored 35 points, finding his shooting touch after a rough start, and made five free throws in the final minute to shut down a furious, fourth-quarter comeback and give the Thunder their 50th win, 102-95 over the injury-riddled Cavaliers on Thursday night. Durant missed five of his first six shots, but finally got it going. He has scored 25 or more in 33 straight games -- the leagues longest streak since Michael Jordan did it 40 consecutive times (1986-87). With the win, the Thunder, who let a 24-point lead dwindle to five in the fourth, moved within 1 1/2 games of San Antonio for the best record in the Western Conference. Oklahoma City played without point guard Russell Westbrook, who rested his surgically repaired knee. Dion Waiters scored 30 and Spencer Hawes 20 for the Cavs, who trailed 95-71 with 6:34 left before going on a 21-2 run to pull within 97-92. Durant, though, who had re-entered with 3:34 to go, made his free throws to end Clevelands rally. When he took a seat after three quarters, Durant figured his night was done. "But that can happen in this league," Durant said. "Guys have pride and Cleveland plays extremely hard, so those guys made it a game late and we had to close it out." Cleveland played without injured star guard Kyrie Irving (strained biceps) and forward Luol Deng (sprained ankle). Durants performance came two nights after LeBron James dropped 43 points on Cleveland, which lost its season-high fourth straight at home and has seen its playoff chances disappear. Durant added 11 rebounds and six assists, his biggest to Serge Ibaka for a dunk with 1:54 left after the Cavs had closed within eight. With the Thunder ahead by 17 entering the fourth, Durant grabbed a seat after scoring 30 in 32 minutes. Oklahoma Citys reserves were having their way with the Cavs, but Cleveland quickly reeled off 11 in a row, forcing Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks to bring Durant back. Waiters steal and layup got Cleveland within five, but the Thunder made sure the ball went to Durant, who then put it away at the line. But not before the Thunder had their nerves frayed. "You hate to talk about the last few minutes," Brooks said. "So Im not going to." Reggie Jackson started for Westbrook and added 13 points. Derek Fisher had 12 and Jeremy Lamb 10. Durant had a very un-Durant-like start. He started 1-of-6 from the field and grew more and more agitated with every missed shot. Late in the first quarter, Durant, who had complained to the officials about not getting a call on a drive, grabbed an offensive rebound, dunked in frustration and got called for a technical. "I just dont care if I miss," Durant said. "I had it in my mind that I was going to start the game off 1 for 10. Thats how quickly it can change, man. I thought I might be in for a tough shooting night, but I always stay aggressive." With Deng, Clevelands top wing defender, out and down to just nine dressed players, Cavs coach Mike Brown knew his team would struggle to handle the multifaceted Durant. And when Alonzo Gee picked up his second personal foul less than two minutes into the game, Brown brought in pesky guard Matthew Dellavedova to guard the leagues leading scorer. Dellavedova, generously listed at 6-foot-4, did all he could to pester Durant and it worked -- for a while. "He didnt get under my skin," Durant said. "He plays hard, you can respect a player like that but I didnt pay him any attention" Brown was proud of the job Dellavedova did on Durant. "One thing Dellys going to do for sure is fight," Brown said. "Hes going to get up in your chest and hes going to bother you, hes going to show his hands so hes not going to foul you. He makes you work for points." NOTES: Brooks has been impressed with Caron Butler, who has played in eight games since signing with Oklahoma City on March 1. Scott said Butler is tough, experienced and fearless. "He can make shots and hes not afraid to take shots," Brooks said. "We like that." ... OKC centre Kendrick Perkins (left groin strain) missed his 12th consecutive game and G Thabo Sefolosha (left calf strain) sat out his ninth straight. ... Brown boycotted filling out an NCAA bracket because Butler, where his son Elijah plays, didnt make the field. "Its my own protest," Brown joked. "Im loyal." ... Dellavedova had 11 points and 10 assists. Keyshawn Johnson Jets Jersey . The Yankees made the moves before Tuesdays game against Baltimore. Robertson was listed retroactive to Monday. Robertson posted two saves in three games as the replacement for retired Yankees closer Mariano Rivera before getting hurt. Mark Gastineau Jets Jersey . Crawford hit his slam off Pirates starter Edinson Volquez to give San Francisco a four run lead in the fourth and they never looked back. Brandon Belt had three runs batted in as well. Bumgarner pitched all nine innings and allowed just four hits. http://www.authenticnyjetspro.com/Joe-klecko-jets-jersey/ . Roy says he will know more about Duchenes potential playing status Sunday. Duchene has been out since damaging the MCL in his left knee when he ran into a teammate against San Jose on March 29. Hes been skating on his own all week, before joining the team Saturday hours before a pivotal game in a series tied at 2. Wayne Chrebet Jersey . He had even more fun Friday. Coming off a sensational rookie season, Spieth opened the new year by never coming close to bogey and making a 12-foot birdie putt on the last hole for a 7-under 66. Quinnen Williams Jets Jersey . "Im going to send Webbie a six-pack (of beer) tonight," she said. Webb wasnt sure that would help. "Ill probably drink one and go to sleep," the Australian veteran said. The two players set up a Sunday showdown between former HSBC champions after finishing off their third rounds with identical birdies over three of the last five holes Saturday to separate themselves slightly from the rest of the crowded leaderboard.ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Mario Williams accepted his second AFC defensive player of the week honour much like he did his first one of the season. He shrugged. "Just another day to me," the Buffalo defensive end said Wednesday. Williams production has been anything but routine this season for someone finally beginning to play to the "Super Mario" expectations that came with the six-year $100 million contract he signed in March 2012. With 10 sacks through seven games, hes tied for second in the NFL and one short of surpassing his season total of last year. Calling it "progress," Williams acknowledged this is the best hes felt both mentally and physically since breaking into the NFL in 2006, when he was drafted first overall by Houston. "I think maybe its time," Williams said. "I dont know, maybe this is as good a time for me in general as far as my career." Putting aside the frustrations and criticism that came with his inconsistent production last year, Williams finds himself benefiting from his new multi-purpose role in first-year co-ordinator Mike Pettines attacking style of defence. Its one that has allowed Williams to become a difference-maker in helping Buffalo (3-4) get off to a better-than-expected start in preparing to play at New Orleans (5-1) on Sunday. Williams has played a key role in two victories. He had career-best 4 1/2 sacks in a 24-23 win over Carolina on Sept. 15. Last weekend, Williams had two sacks, his second forcing a fumble that set up Dan Carpenters game-winning 31-yard field goal with 33 seconds left in a 23-21 win at Miami. Former safety Rodney Harrison, who is now a broadcaster, has altered his tune on Williams. "When hes healthy, he is a different player," said Harrison, who criticized Williams for blaming a wrist injury for hindering his performance last year. On Monday, Dolphins offensive co-ordinator Mike Sherman was so impressed by Williams dominant day that he was began referring to him as a future Hall of Famer. That might be premature, but Williams has already nudged his way ahead of Bills Hall of Famer Bruce Smith -- the NFLs all-time sacks leader -- in a few categoriies.dddddddddddd Williams 4 1/2 sacks against Carolina broke Smiths team record. And his 10 sacks through seven games are one more than Smiths best start in 1997. "Bruce, to be mentioned in the same sentence is obviously a great feeling," Williams said. "But for myself, my biggest thing is not really counting the sacks I got, its focusing on the ones I didnt get." By Williams count, he should be at 15 or 16 by now. The ones he has gotten have helped transform the identity of what had previously been a stale and porous defence in Buffalo. The Bills 23 sacks match the teams second-highest total through seven games. The pass-rush also is paying off in other ways by generating turnovers. The Bills have a league-leading 12 interceptions, and are tied for third with 15 takeaways. This is a defence that hasnt averaged more than two sacks a game since totalling 40 in 2006. And this was a defence that was so bad under former co-ordinator Dave Wannstedt last year that it allowed a combined 97 points and 1,101 yards in consecutive losses to New England and San Francisco. Williams credits the off-season arrival of Pettine, who was lured to Buffalo after spending the previous four seasons in the same job with the New York Jets. Pettines defence relies on players lining up at various positions -- including Williams -- to keep opposing offences guessing on who might be blitzing. Thats a big switch from last year, when Williams traditionally lined up opposite the left tackle. "It all started with the mentality, just (Pettine) coming in and pretty much wiping the slate clean," Williams said. Coach Doug Marrone said its a combination of the defence and Williams. "I think its a little bit more difficult when you have a player that moves around," Marrone said. "But hes an outstanding player. I mean, I think you could put him anywhere and hell be productive." Defensive tackle Alan Branch has been impressed no matter who deserves the credit. "I dont know if its the scheme," Branch said. "I just feel bad for the offensive linemen going against him just because hes a monster when he goes out there." ' ' '

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