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Suns rally to knock off Thunder

The Suns’ Gerald Green drives on the Thunder’s Kevin Durant. Green finished with 41 points in Phoenix’s comeback win. (Associated Press)
The Suns’ Gerald Green drives on the Thunder’s Kevin Durant. Green finished with 41 points in Phoenix’s comeback win. (Associated Press)

NBA: Gerald Green scored 25 of his career-high 41 points in the third quarter and the Phoenix Suns erased a 16-point deficit to beat the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder 128-122 on Thursday night.

Markieff Morris added 24 points, including two free throws with 24.4 seconds to play. Goran Dragic scored 22, including six of the Suns’ final 12 points after Oklahoma City led 118-116.

Russell Westbrook scored a season-high 36 for the Thunder. Kevin Durant added 34.

Green’s outburst fell one point shy of a Suns record for most points in a quarter set by Stephon Marbury in 2002.

It was Phoenix’s second 40-point performance in four games. Dragic had 40 against New Orleans on Friday.

• Spurs smack Heat: Tim Duncan had 23 points and 11 rebounds, and the San Antonio Spurs never trailed against the Miami Heat, weathering a sluggish third quarter for an intense and emotional 111-87 victory in San Antonio. Tony Parker added 17 points for the Spurs. Chris Bosh had 24 points for the Heat. LeBron James, who ditched his protective mask in the first half, was limited to 19 points.

• Clippers crush Lakers: Blake Griffin had 20 points and 11 rebounds during three thunderous quarters by the Los Angeles Clippers, who routed the host Lakers again 142-94 to extend their winning streak to a season-best six games.

Sharks come back to defeat Penguins

NHL: Joe Thornton scored the tiebreaking goal with 5:39 left in regulation to help the San Jose Sharks overcome a two-goal deficit to beat the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins 5-3.

• Avs top Red Wings: Andre Benoit scored off an assist from rookie Nathan MacKinnon with 31.4 seconds left in overtime, lifting the Colorado Avalanche to a 3-2 win over the host Detroit Red Wings.

• Hawks pummel Jackets: Andrew Shaw and Jonathan Toews had two goals apiece, and the Chicago Blackhawks beat the visiting Columbus Blue Jackets 6-1.

• Blues stop Predators: Ian Cole had a goal and an assist to lead the St. Louis Blues to their third straight win, 2-1 over the Nashville Predators. Magnus Paajarvi had the other goal for St. Louis.

• Bruins blank Caps: Tuukka Rask got the first win of his career against Washington, Gregory Campbell and Loui Eriksson scored second-period goals and the host Boston Bruins beat the Capitals 3-0.

• Kings ground Jets: Mike Richards scored the winner on a Winnipeg Jets’ giveaway to lift the visiting Los Angeles Kings to a 3-1 win. The victory increased the Kings’ winning streak to six games.

• Sabres beat Lightning: Jhonas Enroth made 43 saves to spoil the return of Tampa Bay star Steven Stamkos and the Buffalo Sabres beat the host Lightning 3-1. Former Chief Tyler Johnson scored the only goal for Tampa Bay.

• Oilers nip Islanders: Taylor Hall scored the overtime winner and the host Edmonton Oilers rebounded from a listless start to earn a 3-2 come-from-behind victory over the New York Islanders.

• Phoenix downs Montreal: Radim Vrbata scored two goals and the Phoenix Coyotes bounced back from a shaky second period to beat visiting Montreal 5-2, their first win over the Canadiens since 1998.

Villanova claims Big East crown

Men’s basketball: Darrun Hilliard scored 19 points and No. 6 Villanova (27-3, 15-2, Big East) clinched an outright conference championship for the first time in 32 years by holding off undermanned Xavier (20-11, 10-8) 77-70. JayVaughn Pinkston added 15 points – eight in the last 3:20 – James Bell finished with 12 and Ryan Arcidiacono chipped in with 11 as the Wildcats extended their school record for regular-season wins with their fifth straight and 11th in their last 12 games.

• Bearcats drop Tigers: Sean Kilpatrick scored a season-high 34 points in his final home game, and a trio of senior starters steadied No. 15 Cincinnati (25-5, 14-3 AAC) to a 97-84 home victory over No. 20 Memphis (22-8, 11-6) that left the Bearcats tied with Louisville atop the conference with a game to go. Forward Titus Rubles added a career-high 24 points.

• Spartans sink Iowa: Travis Trice led five Spartans in double figures with 17 points as No. 22 Michigan State (23-7, 12-5 Big Ten) looked healthier than it had in months in an 86-76 home victory over No. 24 Iowa (20-10, 9-8).

• Martin suspended: South Carolina coach Frank Martin has been suspended one game for harsh language aimed at his players during a loss to Florida and won’t be with the team when it plays at Mississippi State on Saturday.