It looks like Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant is a man on a mission lately as he recently received the NBA’s Player of the Week in the Western Conference, not to mention that he’s scoring like crazy.

They would need more of the same from Durant as the Thunder hosted the Atlanta Hawks at Ford Center Tuesday. They nearly gave the game away as they held a 13-point lead in the fourth quarter. But some timely, physical defense saved the day as Oklahoma City managed to hold off Atlanta 106-99.

The first half was quite competitive as there were 13 ties; Durant would score the Thunder’s final 10 points of the second quarter – all from the free throw line. He made six in a row to give Oklahoma City its largest lead at 47-41 before the Hawks scored the next eight points; two more  free throws by Durant would tie the game at the break at 49.

The Thunder would outscore the Hawks 20-7 early in the third quarter to build a 75-62 lead; however, Joe Johnson would be huge in the period, teaming with Mike Bibby to help Atlanta reduce their deficit with a 15-4 run. Johnson would hit a runner while also making a layup and draining a three-pointer; Bibby would follow with a trey to tie the game at 89 with 5:50 left to go.

After a Thunder timeout, coach Scott Brooks inserted Nenad Krstic, Thabo Sefolosha and Green into the lineup, and Green would pay dividends as he hit a jumper which put Oklahoma City Thunder to stay.

Durant led the Thunder with 33 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and a block while Green added 19 (including 3 three-pointers) with 6 rebounds, an assist, 2 steals and 2 blocks; Russell Westbrook nearly pulled off a triple-double, scoring 12 with 9 rebounds, 9 assists and 2 steals.

The Hawks were led by Johnson with 37 points (including three treys), 4 rebounds, 3 assists and a steal while Josh Smith chipped in 15 with 6 rebounds, 3 assists and a block; Al Horford added 14 with 5 rebounds and 3 blocks.

Oklahoma City (27-21) plays again on Wednesday when they go to the Big Easy to take on the New Orleans Hornets while Atlanta (30-17) returns home to host the Los Angeles Clippers – also on Wednesday night.