Being the superstar that Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant is, his scoring has kept the Thunder in many games this season. Prior to their game against the visiting Golden State Warriors, Durant had scored 25+ points for 21 games in a row.

And as it would turn out, they would need all of his scoring as Durant exploded for 45 points, allowing Oklahoma City to hold off Golden State 112-104 at Ford Center.

The Thunder would slowly build their lead until they took an eight-point lead with 3:24 left in the opening period, courtesy of a pair of James Harden free throws. Golden State would rally a bit as they cut their deficit to 29-26 entering the second quarter. Stephen Curry’s 3-pointer at the 5:20 mark of the first half put Golden State ahead 45-40 but Russell Westbrook made three free throws in a 24-second span, tying the game at 50-all. The Warriors would hang on to take a 55-54 lead into the break.

Thabo Sefolosha was a key early in the third quarter as he would have three steals in a series of 4 possessions; his steal and pass to Serge Ibaka led to a layup, which capped a Thunder 10-0 run that made it 85-70 with 2:28 left in the period. C.J. Watson got the Warriors within striking distance with a pair of 3-point plays during an 8-0 spurt early in the final quarter while Monta Ellis rested. Golden State got to within 99-94 on an Andris Biedrins dunk with 6:12 remaining.

Durant scored the next three baskets for the Thunder to increase their lead back to nine, but Ellis drained a pair of treys to close the gap to 107-104 with 1:33 left to go; turnovers late would help end any chances for Golden State to pull this one out.

Durant led the Thunder scorers with a season-high 45 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals while Russell Westbrook added 28 with 5 rebounds, 8 assists and 2 steals; Jeff Green and Sefolosha chipped in 14 each – with Green grabbing 7 rebounds, dishing out 3 assists along with a steal while Sefolosha grabbed 7 boards, dished out 2 assists, along with 4 steals and a block.

Corey Maggette led the Warriors with 26 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and a steal while Ellis added 25 (including three treys) with 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 steals and a block.

Oklahoma City (26-21) plays again on Tuesday when they host the Atlanta Hawks while Golden State (13-33) travels to Houston to take on the Rockets – also on Tuesday night.