Adams double-double in OKC win
Steven Adams had his 11th doubledouble of the NBA season as the Oklahoma City Thunder won their fifth straight game with a win over the Houston Rockets.
Adams had 15 points and 10 rebounds while point guard Russell Westbrook had
31 points and 11 assists on Monday (Tuesday NZT).
Paul George scored 24 points and Carmelo Anthony added 20 for the Thunder. Oklahoma City shot 54.4 per cent from the field.
James Harden led the Rockets with 29 points, but he made just seven of 18 field goals. The league’s leading scorer was coming off back-to-back 51-point games.
Trevor Ariza and Eric Gordon each scored 20 points and Clint Capela added
19 points and 10 rebounds for Houston, who lost their third straight game.
Houston point guard Chris Paul sat out with a groin strain. The Rockets are
15-1 when he plays and 10-6 when he doesn’t. Westbrook shot 4 for 14 in the first half but made his last two before the break to help the Thunder lead 58-57 at halftime. Harden had 11 points in the first half but made just one of 8 shots.
Westbrook broke away for a fastbreak dunk to give the Thunder a 65-59 lead early in the third quarter. The Rockets rallied, and the score was tied at
88 heading into the fourth. Houston had the ball down by three points in the final minute. Harden missed a wild three pointer while trying but failing to draw a foul, and the Thunder got control in a scramble. Westbrook found Andre Roberson for a layup with 21 seconds left to put the Thunder up 112-107.
Adams had 12 points and six rebounds in the first quarter.