Westbrook stars as Thunder cruise past Spurs
OKLAHOMA: Russell Westbrook recorded 21 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists for his 98th career triple-double to help the Oklahoma City Thunder cruise to a 104-94 victory over the visiting San Antonio Spurs on Saturday.
Jerami Grant scored 15 points on 5-of-5 shooting and Corey Brewer added 12 points as the Thunder won for the fifth time in seven games. Paul George had 11 points and 10 rebounds, Alex Abrines tallied 11 points and Patrick Patterson had 10.
Davis Bertans and Rudy Gay scored 14 points apiece to lead the sinking Spurs, who lost for the eighth time in the past 10 games.
Lou Williams’ game-high 25 points helped Los Angeles stay in the eighth and final Western Conference playoff spot by beating visiting Orlando.
Tobias Harris added 21 for the Clippers, who sit a half-game ahead of the Denver Nuggets and the Utah Jazz with a game in hand.
Harrison Barnes scored 25 points, and J.J. Barea and Doug McDermott added 20 apiece as host Dallas dumped hapless Memphis.
Dallas, which played without Dennis Smith Jr and Nerlens Noel (both inactive), won consecutive games for the first time since Jan 9-10. Since then, the Mavericks are 6-17.
Memphis has lost 17 consecutive games, the most for the team since it moved from Vancouver after the 2000-01 season and the third-longest losing streak in franchise history. It is the longest losing streak by any NBA team this season.
Miami took control of a close game in the second quarter and handily defeated visiting Washington.
James Johnson led a balanced Miami scoring attack with 20 points while Wayne Ellington scored 17 off the bench. The Heat have won six of their past eight games.
Dwight Howard piled up 30 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks, and Nicolas Batum scored 29 to help Charlotte snap a five-game losing streak with a win against visiting Phoenix.
Batum also grabbed 12 boards and dished out seven assists. Frank Kaminsky and Marvin Williams each added 16 points and Kemba Walker finished with 11 points and seven assists for the Hornets.