Adams, Westbrook come up big
It’s almost impossible to overshadow Russell Westbrook’s historic string of triple-doubles for the Oklahoma City Thunder this NBA season.
But New Zealand’s Steven Adams gave it a shake at Chesapeake Energy Arena yesterday when he ticked off a couple of career-highs in his 10th double-double of the season as the Thunder snapped a three-game losing streak with a gritty 114-102 home victory over the Memphis Grizzlies.
Westbrook, of course, dazzled with his 25th triple-double of the season, finishing with 38 points (8/20 FG, 5/7 3PT, 17/17 FT), 13 rebounds, 12 assists and three steals in another monumental performance that underlines his MVP candidacy.
He simply willed the Thunder to a muchneeded victory over a very difficult opponent with 19 final-quarter points.
But he couldn’t have done it without the help of Adams, and a couple of key contributors off the bench in Joffrey Lauvergne and Anthony Morrow.
With fellow big man Enes Kanter out long term with the fractured forearm, Thunder coach Billy Donovan is clearly going to have to lean on the big Kiwi to anchor his frontline. That was evident in this Grizzlies matchup, with Adams playing a career-high 44 minutes as he finished with 16 points (7/13 FG), 13 rebounds, two assists, two blocks and a steal.
Those are numbers that underline why OKC gave him that US$100m contract extension.
Incredibly, 11 of Adams’ 13 boards came off the offensive glass – also a career-best for the 23-year-old fourth-year player who revelled in his matchup with All-Star Marc Gasol who led the Grizz with 31 points, four rebounds and eight assists.
Lauvergne added a timely 16 points (6/7 FG) and eight boards off the pine, while Morrow continued his sharp shooting with 15 points at a five-of-seven clip (three of four from beyond the arc).
The Thunder shot 13 three-pointers all told to just three from the Grizzlies and won the rebounding battle 48-29.
Both teams shot around the 48 percent mark from the floor.
OKC had led 58-48 at the half but saw the visitors charge into the lead (82-80) with a 34-22 third quarter.