“I’ve been in the league 15 years and I’ve been in (the finals) six times, and that’s the way you get there. I think once we do that and develop some consistency and stop turning the ball over, then we’ll be all right.”

Kevin Durant scored 18 points on 5-for-17 shooting, cooling off after making his first two shots as the Thunder started out 6-for-6 to build a quick nine-point lead.

It was 23-13 after Westbrook hit his third 3-pointer, matching his career high in only 6 minutes. Westbrook started out by connecting on his first six shots for 15 points.

Phoenix came right back and took its first lead on Barbosa’s layup to start the second quarter and took the lead for good with a 14-2 run that put them up 60-55 at halftime.

Notes: Collison played only 5 minutes, picking up three fouls. ... G Dee Brown, who signed with Phoenix on Christmas Eve, and F Jared Dudley, who was acquired in the Richardson trade, scored their first points with the Suns on back-to-back possessions to start the fourth quarter. ... The Thunder had their sixth sellout of the season, and their second straight. ... Nash also left the Suns’ 105-92 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Nov. 20 with back spasms.

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