NBA: Durant powers Thunder over Rockets for best record

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) dunks in front of Houston Rockets forward Omri Casspi (18) during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2013, in Oklahoma City. AP

OKLAHOMA CITY— NBA scoring leader Kevin Durant netted 33 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to spark Oklahoma City past Houston 117-86 Sunday, giving the Thunder a league-best record of 25-5.

Reggie Jackson, playing in place of the injured Thunder star guard Russell Westbrook, scored 16 points and passed out a game-high eight assists and Thabo Sefolosha added 13 points for Oklahoma City.

The Rockets, who fell to 21-12, were led by 17 points from reserve guard Aaron Brooks and 15 each from Chandler Parsons and reserve Omri Casspi.

Dwight Howard managed only nine points and nine rebounds as Houston fell behind 16-14 after the first quarter and were blitzed in the second half.

Durant produced his seventh 30-point and 10-rebound effort of the season as the Thunder won at home for the 14th time in 15 tries in their first game of the season against Houston.

Westbrook is not expected to return until after the NBA All-Star Game in February after right knee surgery.