NBA: Westbrook powers Thunder over Cavaliers

Russell Westbrook finished with 26 points and eight assists to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 103-94 win over the LeBron James-less Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday.

The National Basketball Association contest was billed as a matchup of the last two NBA MVPs, but Kevin Durant was the only one to play as James sat out with a left knee problem.

Westbrook and Durant combined to score 45 points with 13 assists. Durant`s 19 points helped close out their fourth straight win.

Kyrie Irving had to pick up the slack with James out and he delivered 20 points on seven-of-21 shooting.

Kevin Love netted 18 points with 16 rebounds for the Cavs, who had their eight-game winning streak snapped.

Cleveland managed just nine points over the final six-plus minutes of the fourth quarter without their closer James.