Durant scores 29, Thunder beat Mavericks; Westbrook ejected

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Kevin Durant had 29 points and 10 rebounds and the Oklahoma City Thunder, helped when Dallas sat out its usual starters, beat the Mavericks 108-89 Wednesday night.

Thunder star Russell Westbrook was ejected in the second quarter after getting his second technical foul following skirmishes with J.J. Barea. Westbrook went scoreless, but had had eight assists and seven rebounds in 14 minutes.

With the Mavericks on the second night of a back-to-back after an overtime loss to Cleveland on Tuesday, Dallas coach Rick Carlisle chose not to play his five regular starters - Dirk Nowitzki, Wesley Matthews, Chandler Parsons, Deron Williams and Zaza Pachulia.

Serge Ibaka posted his fourth double-double of the season with 20 points and 11 rebounds for the Thunder. They are 13-1 this season at home against Western Conference opponents.

Barea scored 18 points, Salah Mejri had 17 - the first points of his NBA career - and Raymond Felton added 14 to lead Dallas.

Charlie Villanueva started for Dallas and was ejected.

The trouble began with 5:17 left in the second quarter when Barea appeared to throw a blind elbow toward Westbrook, which led to pushing, shoving and jawing among all 10 players on the court. No bench players came onto the court, but many coaches and security officials from both teams helped the game officials break up the scrum.

After an officials' review, Barea, Westbrook and Ibaka each received a technical foul and Villanueva drew two technicals and was tossed. Barea was loudly booed every time he touched the ball the rest of the game.

About four minutes later, Barea was guarding Westbrook closely on a fast-break situation - Westbrook pushed away Barea's arm while uttering an expletive.

Barea was called for a personal foul while Westbrook received his second technical and was ejected for only the third time in his eight-season career.

Westbrook shot 0 for 3 from the field and 0 for 4 from the foul line. It was only the second time in his career that Westbrook didn't score in a game, and the first since March 21, 2010, against Indiana.

Dallas cut what had been a 29-point deficit to 83-69 on a 3-pointer by Barea with 10:14 left. The Thunder quickly built the lead back to 22.

Dion Waiters scored 18 points for Oklahoma City.

TIP-INS

Mavericks: Joining Villanueva in the starting lineup were JaVale McGee, Barea, Jeremy Evans and Felton Nowitzki needs one more appearance to tie Elvin Hayes for 15th place on the NBA's all-time games played list at 1,303. Only 17 NBA players have played in 1,300 or more games Mejri made only his sixth NBA appearance and had attempted only one field goal in his career before going 7 of 8 on Wednesday.

Thunder: In seven January games, Adams is shooting 74.3 percent (26 of 35) from the field Oklahoma City is 3-4 on the second night of back-to-backs this season. ... Former heavyweight boxing champion Evander Holyfield attended the game Reigning NASCAR Xfinity Series champion Chris Buescher also attended the game and his No. 34 Sprint Cup Series car was on display on the arena concourse. ... Rookie Cameron Payne started the second half in place of Westbrook.

UP NEXT

Mavericks: At Chicago on Friday.

Thunder: Host Minnesota on Friday.