NBA scores: Thunder's 12-game win streak ends, replaced by Clippers' streak

While the Houston Rockets were resting on Thursday and Friday, the top of the Western Conference saw one 12-game win streak end and another one come to fruition.

Thursday, Dec. 20

Minnesota Timberwolves 99, Oklahoma City Thunder 93

Kevin Durant and the Thunder rolled into Thursday night's matchup on a 12-game win streak and in first place in the Western Conference but ran into a buzzsaw in a Timberwolves team led by their front court of Kevin Love and Nikola Pekovic. Love scored 28 points and grabbed 11 rebounds while Pekovic tallied 24 points and 10 rebounds of his own to lead Minnesota. Durant scored 33 points and Russell Westbrook scored 30, but the two stars could not find any other offensive help as they watched their win streak come to an end.

Friday, Dec 21

Los Angeles Clippers 97, Sacramento Kings 85

The NBA world did not have to live without a 12-game win steak for long, as the Los Angeles Clippers pushed their win steak to a dozen games Friday night against the Sacramento Kings. The Clippers, who haven't lost since late November, were led by Blake Griffin and Chris Paul, scoring 21 points and 24 points, respectively. More importantly, however, was L.A.'s dominant rebounding performance. The Clips grabbed 53 rebounds compared to the Kings' 32.

The Houston Rockets return to action Saturday night at home against the Memphis Grizzlies before heading on a three-game road trip the following week.