Thunder shut down Spurs
Los Angeles, March 10: Russell Westbrook moved into a tie with Wilt Chamberlain on the regular season triple double list as the Oklahoma City Thunder shut down the San Antonio Spurs with a 102-92 victory on Thursday.
Westbrook recorded his 31st triple double to tie Chamberlain for the second-most triple doubles in a NBA season and he did it against the redhot Spurs who are one of the top seeds in the Western Conference.
Westbrook tallied 23 points, 13 assists and 13 rebounds.
Victor Oladipo scored 20 points on eight-of-14 shooting from the field in his second game back since missing six contests with back spasms. Enes Kanter scored 14 points and 10 rebounds as the Thunder snapped a fourgame losing streak.
Kawhi Leonard tallied 19 points, Pau Gasol scored 18 points for the Spurs, who saw their nine-game win streak come to a halt.
The Thunder held Leonard to just two rebounds and two assists. He sat out the entire fourth quarter after being hit in the mouth. The Spurs will need him on Saturday when they take on the Golden State Warriors. Pistons shoot down Cavs Elsewhere, Reggie Jackson scored 21 points and the Detroit Pistons overcame LeBron James’ 50th career triple-double with a 106-101 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Andre Drummond finished with 20 points and 16 rebounds and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Tobias Harris had 15 points apiece for the Pistons.
James earned 29 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists. Kyrie Irving tallied 27 points and Channing Frye had 15, all from beyond the arc. James had seven baskets off dunks.
J.R. Smith came off the bench after missing the previous 36 games with a broken thumb. He was one of nine from the field.
In Memphis, Austin Rivers scored 20 points, Chris Paul added 19, J.J. Redick had 15 and Blake Griffin posted a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Los Angeles Clippers to a 11489 win over the Memphis Grizzlies.