Nuggets Vs. Thunder: It Wasn’t A Merry Christmas For Denver As Kevin Durant Leads OKC To Win

Santa delivered the Oklahoma City Thunder a supersized gift as they defeated the Denver Nuggets 114-106 on Christmas Day.

OKC forward Kevin Durant led the Thunder in scoring with 44 points, nearing the NBA Christmas Day record of 60, scored by Bernard King in 1984. Durant, who had 19 at half, poured in 21 in the third quarter, but was limited to four in the fourth quarter.

The game went back and forth for three quarters, with the Nuggets holding a two point lead at half.  Behind Durant's third quarter output the Thunder (21-10) gained and maintained the lead.

Carmelo Anthony didn't play in the game, as he continued to mourn the loss of his sister, who passed away earlier this season from a pre-existing medical condition.

Without their leading scorer, Chauncey Billups lead the Nuggets (16-12) in scoring, pouring in 30 points. Nene added 21 points and 12 rebounds, and Denver saw contribution by Ty Lawson and Kenyon Martin's 19 and 10 respectively.

Russell Westbrook added 19 and James Harden 21 for Oklahoma City.

The Nuggets play again tomorrow night against the Philadelphia 76ers at 6:00 p.m. MT.

Nuggets Vs. Thunder: Denver Leads 58-56 At Halftime in Front Of National Audience

Through one half of play it appears as though Santa delivered the Denver Nuggets a nice Christmas present, as they lead the Oklahoma City Thunder by a score of 58-56 midway through the game in Oklahoma City.

The Nuggets are playing without Carmelo Anthony, who is spending time with his family after the death of his sister due to a pre-existing medical condition. Michelle Anthony passed away earlier this week and Melo is home in Baltimore with family, though he is expected to rejoin the team after the Christmas holiday.

J.R. Smith started in place of Melo and has scored two points. Nene leads the Nuggets in scoring at half with 15 points and Al Harrington is the leading rebounder.

Playing in their second consecutive game, after missing time due to injuries, Kenyon Martin has four, the Birdman, Chris Andersen, two and Chauncey Billups 11.

Kevin Durant has 19 points at half for the Thunder, Russell Westbrook has added 11.

Nuggets Vs. Thunder: Look What Santa Left Under The Tree...Kevin Durant

It's not a joyous holiday for Carmelo Anthony this Christmas, as the Denver Nuggets forward mourns the loss of his sister, Michelle Anthony, who died of a pre-existing medical condition on Wednesday.

Because of his loss, Anthony will be with family in Baltimore as the Denver Nuggets match-up against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday evening.

This will be the second straight game that Melo will miss because of the death, and it is expected that J.R. Smith will start in his place again at forward. Smith's first start, in a 109-103 loss to San Antonio on Wednesday, was by most measures a success, as Smith netted 22 points.

Wednesday's game also saw the return of three of Denver's key players, each coming off an injury: Kenyon Martin, Chris Andersen the Birdman, and Chauncey Billups.

Billups, who had missed three games because of a wrist injury, finished that game with 20 points and seven assists. K-Mart scored only eight on 4-of-5 shooting, but grabbed five boards in 17 minutes of play. Bird finished with four points in 19 minutes.

OKC is led by blossoming superstar Kevin Durant who leads the team in scoring and rebounding. Guard Russell Westbrook is also am emerging star and leads the Thunder in assists and steals.

The game can be seen on ESPN at 6:00 p.m. MT.