50 and counting
Russel Westbrook tallies 50th career triple double in win vs Phoenix Suns
OKLAHOMA CITY—Russell Westbrook had a career-high 22 assists in his 50th triple-double, helping the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Phoenix Suns 114-101 on Saturday.
Westbrook also had 26 points and 11 rebounds in his 13th triple-double of the season. He had gone three games without one, yet the league’s leading scorer continues to average double figures in points, rebounds and assists.
Steven Adams had 19 points and seven rebounds and Enes Kanter added 12 points for Oklahoma City, which had dropped two in a row. Thunder guard Victor Oladipo, the team’s No. 2 scorer for the season, missed his third straight game with a right wrist sprain.
Devin Booker scored 31 points for the Suns, who have lost six of eight.
Cavaliers 119, Lakers 108
In Cleveland, LeBron James scored 16 points in the fourth quarter while Kyrie Irving matched a career high with 12 assists as the refreshed Cavaliers finally put away the Lakers in the fourth quarter.
Kevin Love had 27 points and a season-high 17 rebounds, leading the Cavs to their sixth win in seven games.
The Cavs were back at full strength after coach Tyronn Lue left James, Love and Irving behind earlier this week for a game in Memphis, a decision that sparked some criticism as fans were denied a chance to see the three stars and Cleveland lost.
Irving looked more like himself in his first game in a week, adding 21 points as the Cavs improved to 19-6.
Hornets 107, Hawks 99
In Atlanta, Marvin Williams and Marco Belinelli each scored 19 points as Charlotte snapped a fourgame losing streak.
Kemba Walker had 18 points and 10 assists for Charlotte, which grabbed control with a big second quarter. Cody Zeller finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds.
Tim Hardaway Jr. had 21 points for Atlanta and Paul Millsap scored 14 of his 20 points in the third quarter. Dwight Howard grabbed a season-high 23 rebounds, three shy of his career best. (AP)