Durant goes off for 42 points as Thunder edge Jazz

With guard Kevin Martin gone and Russell Westbrook recovering from knee surgery, Oklahoma City is left with no choice but to rely on inexperienced players more it ever has since becoming a title contender.

Against the Jazz, Reggie Jackson started his first regular season game in place of Westbrook. Steven Adams stepped in as the new backup center. Jeremy Lamb was looked to as a perimeter shooter. Perry Jones served as the somewhat surprising 10th player in the rotation.

Kevin Durant poured in a game-high 42 points in 39 minutes, making nine of 24 shots and 22 of 24 free throws. He scored 15 points, made 8 of 10, in the fourth quarter, often keeping the Jazz at bay behind free throw attempts.