OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Atlanta Hawks did not find out until 36 minutes before their game with the Oklahoma City Thunder that they would be without one-third of their big three.

Dwight Howard had to sit out with back spasms and left a giant hole in the middle of the Hawks defense.

Howard's absence left Dennis Schroder and Paul Millsap to carry the team against one of the league hottest players.

Schroder and Millsap compensated for Howard's offense by combining on 61 points and led the Hawks to a 110-108 victory over the Thunder Monday night at the Chesapeake Energy Arena.

"Coach told us this is going to be our starting lineup," Schroder said. "He called us into the room and said just have fun, compete. I think that's when we are at our best. We did it great tonight."

Schroder scored 31 points on 10 of 16 to go along with eight assists and came within two of his career high in points set Dec. 9 at Milwaukee.

Millsap had his first 30-point game of the season, added 11 rebounds and shot 12 of 18, including the go-ahead basket with 10 seconds left.

"It took everything we had," Millsap said. "It took everybody stepping up to get this win tonight. We come in undersized, undermanned. It was a big win for us."

Westbrook finished with a game-high 46 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists. He had a 3-point attempt blocked out of bounds with 2.9 seconds remaining that would have given Oklahoma City a 111-110 lead.

The Thunder nearly tied the game following Westbrook's miss but a dunk by Steven Adams came right after the horn sounded and following a brief review by officials the basket did not count.

During the review, Westbrook yelled at the officials to blow their whistle then stormed off the court.

"From my view, I thought (Westbrook) got fouled on the 3, and I thought he got fouled on the drive to the basket," Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan said.

Thabo Sefolosha added 15 points for the Hawks, who shot 54.7 percent.

"Coach had a good game plan," Schroder said. "Everybody executed very well. We played for 48 minutes. We stuck to the plan for 48 minutes. People made their shots and Paul of course had a great game."

Reserve Jerami Grant added 15 and Andre Roberson contributed 14 for Oklahoma City, which held a six-point lead with 4:05 remaining.

Westbrook gave the Thunder a 104-98 lead with a 19-footer but the Hawks came right back.

Schroder hit a pair of free throws and Sefolosha nailed a jumper to get Atlanta within 104-102 with 3:16 remaining. Following Westbrook's jumper with 2:15 left, the Thunder held a 106-102 lead.

A layup by Millsap and a 22-footer by Kent Bazemore evened the game 106-106 with 1:07 remaining. Schroder then made a jump shot to give Atlanta a 108-106 lead with 49 seconds left.

On the next possession, the Thunder got the ball to Westbrook, who drove to the lane and made a tough one legged jumper to tie the contest.

However, the Hawks made the winning plays on ends of the court to close out the night.

Westbrook scored 18 points in the second quarter as the Thunder took a 53-48 lead at halftime.

Even though the Thunder played the Hawks tough without guard Victor Oladipo (sprained right wrist) for the fourth straight game, Westbrook does not believe in consolation prizes.

"We don't have moral victories around here," Westbrook said.

NOTES: Atlanta C Dwight Howard (back tightness) did not play. Howard went through shootaround, but the team decided to rest him. Coach Mike Budenholzer said the tightness is a recent development. ... Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan denied reports the team targeted a date this month for the return of G Cameron Payne (fractured foot), who has been out all season. "I have not heard that or anything like that," Donovan said. "I know that our medical staff wouldn't do that because I think there are steps he had to go through in order to ever be cleared." ... Atlanta coach Mike Budenholzer likes the balance F Thabo Sefolosha brings balance to lineup since moving into starting role. "Thabo has given us a good kind of energy on both ends of the court," Budenholzer said.