Westbrook’s triple-double helps Thunder rally
OKLAHOMA CITY » Russell Westbrook scored 34 points in his seventh triple-double of the season, and the Oklahoma City Thunder rallied from 17 points down in the second half to defeat the Utah Jazz 100-94 on Tuesday night.
Westbrook finished with 14 assists and 13 rebounds. Paul George scored 21 points, Steven Adams had 20 points and nine rebounds and Carmelo Anthony added 14 points and eight rebounds for the Thunder, who won their third straight.
Rookie Donovan Mitchell scored 31 points and Joe Ingles added 16 for the Jazz, who had won six straight and scored at least 106 points in each game.
The Jazz led 47-39 at halftime, and they opened things up even more early in the third quarter. A driving layup by Alec Burks put the Jazz up 72-55 as the Thunder continued to misfire on open shots.
Westbrook closed out the third quarter strong and helped the Thunder cut Utah’s lead to 80-68 by the end of the period. He scored 11 points in the quarter.
The Thunder finally took the lead on a layup by Westbrook with about four minutes remaining. RAPTORS 126, SUNS 113» Kyle Lowry had 20 points and 10 assists, DeMar DeRozan scored 20 points and Toronto beat Phoenix, improving its NBA-best home record to 9-1.
Suns guard Devin Booker had to be carried off the floor by two teammates after suffering an apparent leg injury with 2:40 remaining and Phoenix trailing by 11. Booker froze in pain while playing defense and did not move as trainers came out to examine him.
Booker, who shook off a 2-for11 start to score a season-high 46 points Monday in a win at Philadelphia, shot 0 for 7 in the first half Tuesday. He finished 4-for-15 with 19 points, including 10 of 12 from the foul line.
Serge Ibaka scored 19 points and OG Anunoby matched his career high with 16 as Toronto won its fourth straight.
The Raptors, who have scored 100 or more points in 10 consecutive games, almost reached triple digits in three quarters Tuesday. Toronto led 97-79 heading to the fourth.
Curry to miss at least 2 weeks with sprained ankle
CHARLOTTE, N.C. » Stephen Curry will miss a minimum of two weeks after an MRI exam on his injured right ankle Tuesday revealed a sprain.
The Golden State Warriors say their leading scorer and two-time league MVP will be re-evaluated in two weeks. That means Curry is out for Wednesday night’s game in his hometown of Charlotte, where the MRI took place.
Curry stepped on E’Twaun Moore’s foot and landed awkwardly on the ankle while going for a late steal in a 125-115 comeback win Monday night at New Orleans and left the arena using crutches and wearing a walking boot.