IN RESERVE
Bench boosts Thunder in win against Pelicans
NEW ORLEANS — Here they call it a “second line,” the gathering of a brass band to parade through the streets.
It’s a festive scene, a roving impromptu party, and anyone can join.
The Thunder marched behind its own second line Wednesday night, parading past the Pelicans 121-110 behind 52 points from its bench.
Russell Westbrook still set the beat – he finished with 42 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists – but his backing band played some of its sweetest sounds of the season.
Alex Abrines scored a careerhigh 18 points, on 6-of-12 shooting, making 5 of 11 3-point shots. Enes Kanter added 14 points and 14 rebounds. Joffrey Lauvergne had 10 points and six boards.
“I think its our best game of the season, the five guys who come off the bench,” Lauvergne said. “I’m very happy about this, because we’ve struggled at times this season. Tonight was very good.”
The Thunder’s bench entered the game scoring 102.1 points per 100 possessions and allowing 106.6, both 19th in the NBA. Its 35 bench points per game ranked 15th in the NBA.
But Oklahoma City built those middle-of-the-pack numbers mostly with Victor Oladipo as a starter. His absence – he missed his fifth straight game Wednesday with a sprained right wrist – has altered the Thunder’s rotations. In the previous four games with Oladipo sidelined, the Oklahoma City backups had scored slightly more (104.1 points per 100 possessions) but had allowed 117.3.
On Wednesday, though, those backups were at their best. And the Thunder needed them to be.
The Pelicans got 34 points from Anthony Davis, shot 47.7
percent and scored 52 points in the paint. Consistent stops were a struggle for the Thunder.
Steven Adams joined Westbrook in double-digit scoring with 12 points. No other Thunder starter had more than nine.
Meanwhile, the bench was booming.
The Thunder reserves combined to make 21 of 38 shots and grab 23 rebounds.
Lauvergne was 5 of 7 from the floor and Kanter 6 of 11. Semaj Christon hit 3 of 7 shots and scored six points, adding five assists.
The Thunder led 87-84 after three quarters but broke the game open early in the fourth on the strength of its bench. A 13-3 run to open the fourth – with all 13 points from reserves – put Oklahoma City in front 100-87 and put the Thunder in a strong position to finish the game late.
“They did a great job of playing together,” Westbrook said of the Thunder reserves. “Obviously they made some shots, but I think defensively as well. Thought they did an amazing job of keeping it up throughout the game and extending our lead.”
A 27-foot Abrines 3-pointer with 8:04 to play gave the Thunder a 105-89 cushion, and when Westbrook checked in with 7:20 to play, the lead was 105-93. Westbrook scored 11 points down the stretch to hold off any New Orleans hope of a rally.
Westbrook had control of the game when he was in. He sliced through the Pelicans’ defense. He found paths to the rim for finishes and dishes. Still, through three quarters, New Orleans had outscored the Thunder by two in Westbrook’s minutes.
Westbrook was in to ice the game down the stretch. His 3-pointer with 1:03 to play put the Thunder in front 119-108 and sent Pelicans fans streaming to the exits.
But Oklahoma City’s reserves put Westbrook in position to slam the door.
“It’s great, man,” Westbrook said. “You come in with everything under control. Did a great job of managing the game and trying to close the game out.”