James Harden led the way with 23 points and nine rebounds and Russell Westbrook added 18 points and six assists as the Oklahoma City Thunder edged the Milwaukee Bucks in a defensive slugfest 82-81 on Saturday.

Eric Maynor chipped in 12 points off the bench and Thabo Sefolosha finished with 10 for the Thunder, who have won four straight despite being without star Kevin Durant for the last two. Durant is dealing with a sprained left ankle and is day-to-day.

Oklahoma City looked to be in control after Harden opened the third quarter with a 3-pointer to put his team on top 50-37. But the Bucks chipped away through the third and pulled to within one point six different times in the fourth quarter, including three times in the final minute. They could not get over the hump, however, and Westbrook sealed it with a pair of free throws in the final seconds.

Neither team shot better than 38 percent from the floor but Oklahoma City made up the difference at the 3-point line, where they knocked down 8-of-14.

Brandon Jennings scored 25 points and Drew Gooden added 16 and 14 rebounds for Milwaukee.