Westbrook claims bragging rights in marquee match-up
LOS ANGELES: Giannis Antetokounmpo led all scorers with 28 points but reigning NBA MVP Russell Westbrook claimed bragging rights as the Oklahoma City Thunder thumped the Milwaukee Bucks 110-91.
American Westbrook finished just shy of his fourth triple double of the season, scoring 12 points, grabbing 10 rebounds and collecting nine assists for the Thunder at the Bradley Centre arena.
The game was billed as a match-up between the defending league MVP Westbrook and the early season frontrunner for the award Bucks superstar Antetokounmpo.
But unlike Greece’s Antetokounmpo, Westbrook got plenty of help from his supporting cast on Tuesday as Paul George scored a teamhigh 20 points and Carmelo Anthony chipped in with 17.
Jeremi Grant also finished with 17 for the Thunder, who shot 49 percent and improved to 4-3 on the season.
“I thought we played a great game on offence in the first half,” Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan said.
In Los Angeles, Julius Randle came off the bench to score 17 points and lead seven players in double figures as the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the red-hot Detroit Pistons 113-93.
Kyle Kuzma added 16 points, Larry Nance tallied 14 and 12 rebounds for the Lakers.
Reggie Jackson and Tobias Harris scored 18 points each for the Pistons, who dropped to 5-3 on the season.
The Pistons were coming off back-to-back wins against the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday and the Golden State Warriors on Sunday.
The Clippers were the last unbeaten team before Detroit rallied from 13 points down in the third quarter to win 95-87.
In Indianapolis, the Pacers also used a balanced scoring attack to crush the Sacramento Kings 101-83 as Lithuanian forward Domantas Sabonis delivered his third double-double of the season with 12 points and a career-high 16 rebounds.
Bojan Bogdanovic, of Croatia, scored a teamhigh 17 points while American Thaddeus Young chipped in 15 for Indiana who improved to 4-3 on the season.
Elsewhere, the Phoenix Suns blew an 18-point lead in the third quarter but made enough timely plays down the stretch to beat the Brooklyn Nets 122-114.