Daily NBA Fix 12-28-13: Big Three Takes Down Heat; Beal Down, Maybe Out

Game Capsules

Dec 27, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder small forward Kevin Durant (35) drives the ball inside against Charlotte Bobcats shooting guard Jeff Taylor (44) during the first half at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Oklahoma City Thunder 89, CHARLOTTE BOBCATS 85

Durant Does In The ‘Cats—In their first game without Russell Westbrook, who underwent knee surgery and will be out until at least after the All-Star break, Kevin Durant scored 34 points and the Thunder escaped Charlotte. Durant scored 14 of his 34 in the fourth quarter and OKC got 12 points each from Serge Ibaka and Thabo Sefolosha. Reggie Jackson was a horrid 4-for-19 from the floor and scored 10 points starting in place of Westbrook. Kemba Walker paced the Bobcats with 18 points and Al Jefferson went for 16 points and 11 boards.

BROOKLYN NETS 104, Milwaukee Bucks 93

Nets Go Small FTW—Brooklyn coach Jason Kidd got creative with his starting lineup, going with Kevin Garnett and four smalls (Paul Pierce, Shaun Livingston, Deron Williams and Joe Johnson) and the Nets rode a big first quarter to a win over the Bucks. Livingston led the way with 20 points and Mirza Teletovic came off the bench to add 19 for Brooklyn. Milwaukee welcomed back Larry Sanders, who had 10 points and seven boards in 22 minutes off the bench, and the Greek Freak, Giannis Antetokounmpo, had his first career double-double with 16 points and 10 boards.