OKLAHOMA CITY — Gregg Popovich didn't coach 1,000 games in the NBA without having a few leads slip away on him.

Courtesy of the Oklahoma City Thunder, he can add another to that list.

Kevin Durant scored 25 points, Thabo Sefolosha added 12 and the Thunder spoiled Popovich's 1,000th game as San Antonio's coach by overcoming an early 17-point deficit to beat the Spurs, 78-76, last night.

San Antonio built its big lead in the opening 10 minutes, but that did nothing to secure a successful finish as Popovich became only the 24th coach to reach 1,000 NBA games.

"Oftentimes, it's a coach's worst nightmare," said Popovich, who is 676-324 with San Antonio. "We've all had the leads. We've all lost them because it's a game. It's 48 minutes long. There are a lot of possessions. It can happen and it does happen often."

The Thunder didn't lead until midway through the fourth quarter, but kept San Antonio to its season low in scoring and escaped when Tony Parker missed a 3-pointer from the left side in the closing seconds.

Oklahoma City won for the fourth straight time at home.

"Playing a phenomenal team like the Spurs always helps us out in the confidence area," Durant said. "I think our defense just won the game for us. I know the Spurs can attest to that. They've won a lot of games defensively, and we can learn from a team like them."

Rockets 95, Hornets 84: Ron Artest scored all 18 of his points in the second half, and visiting Houston overcame the absence of center Yao Ming in a victory over New Orleans. Luis Scola and Aaron Brooks each scored 14 points, and Scola had 12 rebounds to help the Rockets end New Orleans' five-game home winning streak. Yao sat out with flu-like symptoms and Dikembe Mutombo started in his place.

Trail Blazers 103, Grizzlies 92: LaMarcus Aldridge had 22 points and eight rebounds, and Brandon Roy finished with 20 points and nine assists to lead visiting Portland. Travis Outlaw added 18 points and Joel Przybilla had 13 points and 13 rebounds for the Trail Blazers, who are trying to reach the Western Conference playoffs for the first time since 2003. Portland entered the game in the sixth spot in the West.

Nuggets 121, Nets 96: J.R. Smith and Nene scored 19 points each, Chauncey Billups had 14 points and 10 assists and host Denver extended its winning streak to three. Vince Carter scored 32 points for the Nets, who went 0-4 on the Western Conference portion of their five-game road trip. New Jersey plays at the New York Knicks tomorrow.

Bobcats 112, Raptors 86: Gerald Wallace scored 25 points and host Charlotte beat Toronto to snap a three-game losing streak. D.J. Augustin added 15 points for the Bobcats, who moved within one game of idle Milwaukee and Chicago in the crowded race for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.