THUNDER 102, MAVERICKS 99: Kevin Durant scored 26 points, including the go-ahead free throws with 50 seconds remaining, as Oklahoma City seized a 2-0 lead in its Western Conference first-round series with Dallas.

Durant hit just five of 17 shots from the field but went 14 for 16 from the line and added 10 rebounds for the Thunder, who overcame 16 turnovers by making 37 of 39 free throws. Russell Westbrook led the club with 29 points while James Harden added 15 in a reserve role.

Dirk Nowitzki had a game-high 31 points for the Mavericks, who went just 5 for 23 from beyond the arc.

Trailing by seven at the half, Dallas quickly trimmed the deficit before jumping in front on a pair of Nowitzki free throws with 7:41 remaining. A Kendrick Perkins basket ended a six-minute stretch without a field goal for the Thunder, and Westbrook knocked down a 17-footer with 1:04 remaining as Oklahoma City led 79-77 entering the fourth.

The teams traded leads until the midway point of the final quarter, when Westbrook and Derek Fisher knocked down consecutive 3-pointers - both coming late in the shot clock - to give the Thunder a 92-88 lead. A Vince Carter basket moved Dallas back in front with 2:17 left, but Durant responded with the go-ahead free throws.

Nowitzki missed a 12-footer that would have put the Mavericks back in front, and Harden's two free throws put the Thunder ahead 100-97. After the teams traded scores, Dallas had one final shot at the tie but Jason Terry misfired on a long 3-point attempt.

The best-of-seven series shifts to Dallas for Game 3 on Thursday.

After getting points from just five players in their Game 1 victory, the Thunder had eight different players hit shots in a productive first quarter. Perkins and Durant led the way with seven points apiece as Oklahoma City shot 57.1 percent and led 32-24 after one quarter.

Dallas came out cold to start the second, hitting just one field goal in a 5:23 span as the Thunder stretched the lead to 15. Nowitzki single-handedly kept his team in the game - scoring 10 straight points during a 2:53 stretch late in the frame - but Durant responded with a 3-pointer and a pair of foul shots to lead Oklahoma City into the break with a 57-50 edge.

GAME NOTEBOOK: The teams combined to shoot 61 free throws on the night, connecting on 55. ... Durant committed a game-high seven turnovers. ... Mavericks PG Jason Kidd scored 10 points but connected on just two of 10 shots. ... Dallas outscored Oklahoma City 40-18 in the paint.