down an offer of a contract extension in spring training. "Its an extraordinarily di

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Kevin Durant and Oklahoma City had an answer for every challenge from the Chicago Bulls. Seattle Mariners Gear . It was just business as usual for the Thunder at home. Durant scored 32 points and the Thunder beat the Bulls 107-95 on Thursday night for their eighth straight win. Oklahoma City led by 15 in the opening minute of the fourth quarter, but the Bulls pulled within seven on D.J. Augustins 3-pointer with 8:50 to go. Oklahoma City then outscored Chicago 16-4 over a late 5 1/2-minute stretch to pull away. "I thought our defence was good the whole game," Durant said after topping 30 points for the 13th time this season. "They slowed us down a little bit with their free throws, but I thought we just played through it in the second half. We were able to come out and speed it up a little bit, get some turnovers and get some easy points." Russell Westbrook had 20 points and 10 assists, and reserve Reggie Jackson added 18 to help the Thunder improve to 13-0 at Chesapeake Arena. Oklahoma City is the only NBA team with a perfect home record. "If we move the ball like that with the guys we have that create for everybody, create for themselves, it makes it tough on other teams," Durant said. Joakim Noah had 23 points and 12 rebounds for the banged-up Bulls, who have lost four straight and seven of eight. Taj Gibson scored 16 points and Augustin added 15. Chicago played without Kirk Hinrich (back tightness) and Luol Deng (sore Achilles), and Jimmy Butler left during the game with a right ankle injury. "I thought we still had a shot in the second half," Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said. "I thought we were within striking distance, but we couldnt get the key stops when we needed them. ... Youve got to give them credit." Oklahoma City led by 14 in the first half, but their advantage was cut to three at the break, prompting a strong response from the Thunder in the third quarter. They used a 13-4 run to go up 68-56 with 7:52 to go in the period. Westbrooks layup increased the advantage to 13 about 1 1/2 minutes later, and then he had a layup and Durant made a jumper to make it 79-64 with 3:25 left in the third. Jacksons 3 in the final minute put Oklahoma City up 84-72 heading to the fourth, and Nick Collison opened the final quarter with three-point play. The Bulls put together another spurt to close to 89-82 on Augustins 3, but that was as close as it would get. "We were just trying to shut down the paint," Jackson said. "That was our main focus at halftime and I think we did a good job of locking in, getting some stops, and getting out on the break. ... Theyre physical. They play really well defensively, especially half-court sets. Right now theyre a little depleted, people are banged up, beat up." Jeremy Lambs dunk with 7:44 left made it 93-82, pumping up the home crowd. Durant made a 3-pointer and Westbrooks two free throws with 3:06 to go extended the lead to 105-86. "I think our defence just hasnt been there to help us out," Gibson said. "We are normally a great defensive team. We just got to get guys more reps, especially now that we lost Jimmy with the ankle." Jackson made six of the Thunders seven baskets in a 6:13 stretch bridging the first two quarters. Lambs steal and fast-break dunk with 9:21 left in the second interrupted Jacksons streak at four consecutive baskets. Jacksons jumper about a minute later gave Oklahoma City a 41-27 lead. Chicago battled back, and Mike Dunleavy hit two 3s in the final minute to get the Bulls within 55-52 at halftime. NOTES: Durant was whistled for a technical foul with 2:25 left in the first quarter for arguing following his second personal foul. ... Led by Jackson and Lamb, Thunder reserves came in averaging 33.6 points per game, the franchises highest since moving to Oklahoma City. ... Deng missed four games earlier this month due to a strained left calf. The Bulls are now 1-4 in his absence. ... About 45 minutes after the game, Thabo Sefolosha brought Noah to the Thunder locker room with the media still present, but the Bulls star was chased out by Oklahoma Citys Kendrick Perkins. Kyle Seager Mariners Jersey . Bjoerndalen broke the record he shared with cross-country skiing great Bjoern Daehlie, also matching his fellow Norwegians record of eight gold medals. Bjoerndalen earlier won gold in Sochi in the mens sprint biathlon. Ichiro Suzuki Jersey .com) - On the bright side, either the Minnesota Wild or Buffalo Sabres will end their losing streak on Thursday night. http://www.baseballmarinersofficial.com/felix-hernandez-jersey-c-5/ . Im very excited about the playoffs, particularly in the Western Conference with amazing match-ups, as well as the wonderful local story in the Toronto Raptors. It should be a blast. Here are my predictions, but based upon my lousy prognostications during the NCAA Tournament, you might be better off going the other way on some of mine - particularly with the Raptors, who I hope and pray are able to win an incredibly difficult match-up. CLEVELAND -- The Indians had little choice but to give up Justin Masterson. The trade doesnt mean theyre going to surrender the season. "We will never raise the white flag," Cleveland manager Terry Francona said. "Thats not an option. Anybody who stands next to me in the dugout knows that will never happen." Protecting themselves in case the 29-year-old Masterson left as a free agent after the season, the Indians traded the right-hander on Wednesday to the St. Louis Cardinals. The trade of Masterson could be followed by other moves by the Indians, who entered Wednesday 6 1-2 games behind first-place Detroit in the AL Central and in a scramble with five other teams for the leagues second wild-card spot. The Indians could also trade shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera before the deadline. Like Masterson, Cabrera is in the final year of his contract and the Indians have shown little interest in re-signing him. Dealing the two-time All-Star could bring a prospect in return. General manager Chris Antonetti said hes exploring deals to improve the team before Thursdays 4 p.m. trade deadline. "Our focus is to continue to try to win as many games as we can," he said. "Were currently in the midst of having conversations to bring players in to impact our team at the major league level. Whether or not that happens over the next 24 hours, there are a lot of factors in play and its hard to handicap that." Masterson began the season as the Indians ace. Hell end it with a different team in a different league after a disappointing four months. "I was surprised," Masterson said. "Its bittersweet. Im sad to leave the fellas and the fight were making here in Cleveland, but Im excited to get to St. Louis and be a part of what they have going there." In exchange for Masterson, who was scheduled to come off the disabled list later this week, the Indians got outfielder James Ramsey. A first-round pick by the Cardinals (No. 23 overall) in 2012, Ramsey has spent this season at Double-A Springfield, where he batted .300 with 13 home runs and 36 RBIs. Dee Gordon Jersey. Antonetti said Ramsey will be moved up to Triple-A Columbus. Masterson went 14-10 last season and then turned down an offer of a contract extension in spring training. "Its an extraordinarily difficult day for us," Antonetti said. "It wasnt an easy decision, but its one that made sense." Masterson is 4-6 with a 5.51 ERA in 19 starts this season and has had a noticeable loss in velocity. In five starts before being placed on the DL with right knee inflammation, he allowed 19 runs and 27 hits in 18 innings. Masterson, who hasnt won since June 8, said the impending free agency didnt affect his performance. "I guess I could try and blame that, but that would be a lie," he said. The Cardinals are in the race for the NL Central crown, a season after going to the World Series. "Im excited," St. Louis manager Mike Matheny said before the Cardinals played the Padres in San Diego. "Ive watched this guy. Yes, the numbers dont quite look the same as what they looked last year, but were talking a year ago. Still, good movement, hes able to attack the strike zone. We can see theres a lot of potential here to help us out." Masterson will join the Cardinals on Friday in St. Louis and is scheduled to start against the NL Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday. "Lets go. Theres no sense waiting around," Matheny said. Masterson was acquired by the Indians at the trading deadline in 2009 in the deal that sent catcher Victor Martinez to Boston. Before Tuesdays series opener against Seattle, Masterson said he wouldnt be surprised if the Indians made any moves before the trade deadline Thursday. Masterson had said he was hoping to stay and help them make a playoff push. Francona was Bostons manager when Masterson was dealt to Cleveland. Masterson went 48-61 with Cleveland. "The hug was a little longer than normal," Francona said. "We may part teams, but my admiration for him isnt parting." Joked Masterson: "Tito keeps trading me away. Whats up with that?" NFL Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Discount Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Jerseys NFL China NFL Jerseys Wholesale ' ' '