NBA -- Durant's 27 powers Thunder over Kings

CHICAGO -- The Oklahoma City Thunder won their eighth consecutive game Tuesday night, beating an undermanned Sacramento Kings, 97-95, at the Sleep Train Arena.

All-Star Kevin Durant led the charge with 27 points and 11 rebounds while point guard Russell Westrbrook flirted with a triple-double with 15 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. Jeremy Lamb added 14 while Serge Ibaka finished with 13 and nine boards for OKC, which improved to 13-3.

Isaiah Thomas was the main man for the Kings, shooting 9-of-18 from the field for 24 points. "I was trying to be highly aggressive. I felt like I was passive in the first half and that's why coach took me out. I wasn't doing anything offensively or defensively. I was able to get into attack mode," Cousins told reporters after the match.

Rookie Ben MacLemore had 14 and Derrick Williams chipped in 13. It was the Kings' fifth straight defeat, dropping their won-lost record to a lowly 4-12.

Kings big men DeMarcus Cousins and Carl Landry did not play due to injuries.

Photo: Kevin Durant scores 27 points to lead the Thunder past the Kings at Sleep Train Arena.