Pelicans prevail over Thunder scoring machine

JULIUS Randle ended with 33 points and 11 rebounds as the New Orleans Pelicans overcame another triple double from Russell Westbrook to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 131-122 in the NBA yesterday.

The win could prove costly as AllStar Anthony Davis left the game with a shoulder injury at the end of the first half. He finished with 14 points in 15 minutes of playing time.

Randle added three clutch baskets in the final minute and teammate Jrue Holiday scored 32 points for the Pelicans.

Westbrook continued his eye-pop- ping performances for the Thunder, extending his league record with an 11th straight triple-double as he finished with 44 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists. It was the 12th time in Westbrook’s career he scored at least 40 points in a triple-double, putting him in a tie for second place with Hous- ton’s James Harden for the most 40point triple-doubles in NBA history.

But Westbrook missed badly on a poorly executed three-point attempt with Oklahoma City behind by five points late in the game. Paul George added 28 points, and Nerlens Noel tallied 22 for the Thunder.

Elsewhere, Dennis Smith scored 19 points as the New York Knicks ended their 18-game losing streak (a franchise record) with a 106-91 win over the Atlanta Hawks.

And the Orlando Magic beat the Charlotte Hornets 127-89, with Terrence Ross scoring 21 points.