Westbrook scores 41 in triple double as Thunder top Pelicans
LOS ANGELES: Russell Westbrook scored 21 points in the fourth quarter en route to his 29th triple double of the season as the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the New Orleans Pelicans 118-110 on Sunday.
Westbrook posted his seventh career 40-point triple double, which tied him with Wilt Chamberlain for the second most in NBA history.
Westbrook finished with 41 points on 14-of-29 shooting from the field in front of a crowd of 18,200 at the Thunder’s Chesapeake Energy Arena. He also had 11 rebounds and 11 assists.
“I just stay in attack mode and tried to help us win,” Westbrook said.
The 21 points is the most Westbrook has ever scored in the fourth during his career.
“I think throughout the game, I try to find ways to pick my spots,” Westbrook said. “Tonight was the fourth quarter. Some nights it may be early, some nights it may be late. I just play.
“The game will tell you what to do. If something is working, I keep doing it.”
Enes Kanter came off the bench to add 20 points and nine rebounds. Steven Adams and Alex Abrines each had 13 points for the Thunder.
Anthony Davis led the Pelicans (23-37) with 38 points and seven rebounds.
“I thought we played well,” New Orleans coach Alvin Gentry said. “I thought we did a good job. We started the game the right way.
“At the end of the day, Russ made all the plays down the stretch. You have to give them credit.”
Pelicans forward DeMarcus Cousins added 31 points and 10 rebounds before fouling out.
Cousins picked up a technical foul 32 seconds into the game. It was the 18th of the season for Cousins which means he will be suspended for one game.
“I don’t feel I did anything wrong to receive it,” said Cousins, who leads the league in technical fouls.
Elsewhere, Blake Griffin scored 43 points and collected 10 rebounds, lifting the Los Angeles Clippers to a 124-121 overtime victory over the slumping Charlotte Hornets.
DeAndre Jordan finished with 20 points and 19 rebounds for the Clippers, who defeated the Hornets at Staples Center for the seventh straight game.
Chris Paul had 15 points, 17 assists and nine rebounds, while J.J. Redick scored 22 points for Los Angeles.
Kemba Walker led the Hornets with 34 points and Nicolas Batum added 31 and eight rebounds for the Hornets, who lost for the sixth time in their last seven games.
Jeremy Lamb chipped in 19 points, while Frank Kaminsky finished with 16 points and five rebounds before fouling out with 4:21 left in regulation.