Williams lifts Jazz over Thunder 140-139 in OT

[April 20, 2010]  SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Deron Williams scored a career-high 42 points, including a go-ahead jumper from the top of the key with 1.1 seconds left in overtime, and the Utah Jazz pulled into second place in the Western Conference with a wild 140-139 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night.

Utah overcame 45 points by Kevin Durant, who thought he was fouled on a 3-pointer just before the buzzer that would have won it for the Thunder. Durant and several teammates stayed on the court pleading for a call that never came before the officials were escorted to the tunnel by security.

It was the highest-scoring game in the NBA this season, according to STATS LLC.

Durant hit four of his seven 3-pointers in the fourth quarter as the Thunder rallied to force overtime.

Carlos Boozer had 28 points and 15 rebounds for Utah. Williams finished with 10 assists.

The Jazz entered tied with Dallas, Denver and Phoenix in the Western Conference standings and managed to move ahead with a thrilling win over the Thunder, who were going for a four-game sweep of Utah this season. They trail the Jazz by 2 1/2 games.

Russell Westbrook finished with 27 points and nine assists and Jeff Green scored 20 for the Thunder, including the go-ahead layup with 5 seconds left in OT.

After Williams hit a 3-pointer to break a 135-all tie with 49 seconds left, Durant drew a foul and made both free throws with 43 seconds remaining. Then the Thunder got a rebound when Williams missed a jumper with 14.5 seconds left.

After a timeout, Utah's C.J. Miles almost pressured Durant into a turnover, but he was able to flip the ball to Green, who drove for a layup that put Oklahoma City back up 139-138. Utah called timeout and set up a play for Williams, who swished his shot from the top of the key with 1.1 seconds left.

Jazz fans chanted "M-V-P! M-V-P!" during a timeout called by the Thunder and continued cheering through the disputed ending.

The Thunder got the inbounds pass to Durant, who tried a turnaround jumper from way outside the 3-point line and was way short. Durant thought he was fouled on the play and argued until Oklahoma City's coaching staff led him and the other Thunder players from the court as confetti dropped from the rafters.

Miles finished with 16 points and one block, and Mehmet Okur scored 20 for Utah.

NOTES: Williams' previous high was 41 points against Dallas in December 2007. ... Paul Millsap had 15 points for Utah before fouling out with 4:22 left in OT. ... Durant also had seven rebounds, four assists and two blocks. ... The teams took a combined 78 foul shots.

[Associated Press; By DOUG ALDEN]

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