Russell Westbrook was an efficient, dime-dropping machine tonight, pouring in his seventh triple-double of the season and bringing a 114-98 win over the Washington Wizards to Oklahoma City.
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The Thunder have won their last eight games in which Westbrook handed out at least 10 assists, and fellow superstar Kevin Durant is averaging 29.4 points in those affairs.
Again, Russell Westbrook got the best of John Wall and compiled another triple double against him with 17 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists.
Bradley Beal totaled 18 points for the Wizards while John Wall and Marcin Gortat each added 17 points. Westbrook’s first triple-double of the season came at Washington in a 125-101 win on November 10, while Wall was limited to nine points on 4-of-13 shooting in a one-sided matchup between the star point guards.
Both teams shot over 50 percent from the field in the first half.
“Westbrook, Durant, they said we’re not going to be shown up”, Washington assistant coach Don Newman said. A three-point play by Durant pushed the Thunder back ahead 79-67.
Oklahoma City used an 11-0 run, capped by Dion Waiters blowing by Wall for a layup, to claim a 24-12 lead with 5 minutes 28 seconds remaining in the period as the Thunder began the game shooting 9 of 12, including 2 of 3 from three-point range.
Sheldon Jeter scored a career-high 23 points in his first start of the season and Pittsburgh pulled away from Virginia Tech in the second half of a 90-71 victory last night.
The Thunder, with a firm grip on third spot in the Western Conference, host the Orlando Magic next up on Thursday (NZT).
They fought hard and at certain points made it seem like they actually had a chance.
Wizards: Wittman also will miss a game Wednesday night against the Golden State Warriors…. Washington made 21 of 33 points inside the 3-point arc in the first half….
Westbrook is making a push toward his first campaign with an assist average of 10 or more, bumping his number to 9.9 after the 14 helpers versus Houston.
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An explosion mid-way through the first quarter pretty much solidified the Thunder’s control of the contest in a game where Washington never led. Cameron Payne was able to return from a concussion injury and contribute eight points off the bench.
