Oklahoma City Thunder

Credit the Thunder for not having much of a memory. Well, at least for not letting those memories spill into the present.

Two nights after being squashed by the Lakers in Los Angeles, Oklahoma City took it to the Jazz on Tuesday at Utah. The Thunder put on a passing clinic to climb back over .500 at 8-7.

"We're passing the ball to each other," said Kevin Durant, who had eight of the team's 25 assists. "We are sharing the ball a lot and helping out on defense as well. This is a good road win for us after a tough loss to L.A."

Salt Lake City hadn't been much easier on the franchise. The win snapped a four-game losing streak at Utah, giving the Thunder its first win there since relocating to OKC.

"It's great," Thabo Sefolosha said. "We are playing great right now. We've got a lot of confidence. Coming in a gym like that and being able to win that game is big for us.

"I think we're going to surprise a lot of people this year because if we play like that, with the same intensity, we can go far."

THUNDER 104, JAZZ 94: At some point these won't be surprises anymore -- Oklahoma City outplaying Utah in just about every phase of game, claiming a road victory in a traditionally treacherous arena.

The Thunder (8-7) took control in the third quarter, smothering the Jazz with its defense while heating up at the other end. The 31-16 difference in the period was the difference in the game.

Kevin Durant had 28 points to lead four OKC players in double figures. Thabo Sefolosha scored only four, but his defense against Deron Williams also figured prominently into the win.

• F Kevin Durant didn't know Wizards owner Abe Pollin personally, but as a Washington, D.C., native, the Thunder star was well aware of his impact. Pollin passed away Tuesday at the age of 85.

  "He meant a lot," Durant said. "He basically made the Wizards. If you go downtown, he has his own avenue there right in front of the arena. And so he was Wizards basketball, and you can kind of say he was like the founder of basketball in Washington, D.C.

  Durant added: "It's a devastating loss."

• G Russell Westbrook would be hard pressed to find better role models than Utah's Deron Williams. The two squared off Tuesday.

  "(Williams) understands what the team needs, and Russell is learning how to do those things," Thunder coach Scott Brooks said. "In games when you need scoring, you got to get them scoring. When you need playmaking, he can be a playmaker. Deron is one of the best at doing that."

  Westbrook outscored Williams 10-7, but Williams had the assist edge 9-3.

Quote To Note:

"We did a good job of passing the ball, sharing the ball, believing in each other and having some trust."

Rotation:

Starters—Point guard Russell Westbrook, Shooting guard Thabo Sefolosha, Small forward Kevin Durant, Power forward Jeff Green, Center Nenad Krstic. Bench—Guard James Harden, Forward Ryan Bowen, Forward Etan Thomas, Guard Kyle Weaver, Guard Kevin Ollie, Forward D.J. White, Center Serge Ibaka.

Player Notes:

• G Kyle Weaver didn't have a long stint in the D-League. Days after being sent down, the second-year guard was recalled from the Tulsa 66ers. He played Tuesday at Utah, scoring seven points in 14 minutes.

• C Nenad Krstic fought through a sore ankle to play 25 minutes at Utah, scoring eight and grabbing six rebounds. He was limited at Monday's practice after sustaining the injury Sunday at the Lakers.

• G Kevin Durant scored 13 points in the first quarter and finished with 28. He added eight assists and five rebounds.

Medical Watch:

• G Shaun Livingston (left knee) is on the inactive list. He's expected out for three to four weeks, which would put his return at mid-December at the latest.

• F Nick Collison (sore knee) has missed the last two games.

• G Kevin Ollie (sore knee) is scheduled to undergo an MRI exam Wednesday.