Durant's threes help Thunder pull away

OKLAHOMA CITY - On Thursday, the Timberwolves carried on without Kevin Love against a Mavericks team that did just enough to secure victory in Dallas.

On Friday night, the Wolves again played without their injured All-Star and the league's rebounding leader, this time against an Oklahoma City team that, like the Mavs, is prepping for the playoffs.

The Thunder's 111-103 victory at the arena formerly known as Ford Center was the first time in eight games that Oklahoma City didn't hold its opponent under 100 points.

Those last six have come with newly acquired Kendrick Perkins in the lineup.

The Wolves trailed by as many as 16 points in the third quarter, but pulled with two points late in the quarter before Thunder superstar Kevin Durant made consecutive three-pointers in the final 11.1 seconds that provided an 88-82 lead after three quarters.

Oklahoma City then pushed the lead back to 16 points by late in the fourth quarter.

Durant led seven Thunder players who scored in double figures with 23 points.

The Wolves now have lost six consecutive games.

No Love, no worries? Anthony Randolph has picked up right where Love left off. He has started twice in Love's absence and has replaced the double-double by getting consecutive double-doubles himself, including Friday's 24-point, 15-rebound game.

"It's not as good as his," Randolph said. "I'd rather start a winning streak. That'd be better."

The Wolves will evaluate Love at practice Saturday and determine whether he's ready to return from that groin injury to play Boston on Sunday.

Toughening up Friday's game continues a rugged stretch in the schedule this late in the season when the Wolves play Dallas, the Thunder, Boston, Chicago and Miami consecutively.

"We've been talking to them about finishing the season strong," coach Kurt Rambis said. "We're playing just a murderous schedule, playing elite teams going on out. It's a challenge for us not only to measure our team, but it should be a nice competitive environment for people who want to compete."

Their new look The Thunder now is 5-1 since it put Perkins into the lineup. Oklahoma City acquired him from Boston for his defense, toughness and playoff experience in a deal that sent Jeff Green and Nenad Krstic away.

"I've always said we were a good team," Thunder coach Scott Brooks said. "We feel we are a better team now that still has a lot of work to do."

Etc. • This must be Big 12 country: A good smattering of fans arrived early Friday wearing or carrying Kansas State or Wolves jerseys with Beasley's name and number on them (30 at K-State, 8 with the Wolves), hoping to get them autographed before the game.

• Beasley and Durant -- childhood friends who grew up near each other in Washington, D.C. -- chatted at midcourt just after halftime.

• Former Bloomington Jefferson and Kansas star Cole Aldrich is back with the Thunder after two stints in the D League during his rookie season and played the game's final 75 seconds.