Westbrook powers Thunder past Spurs
It was an ugly win against a short-handed opponent, but the struggling Oklahoma City Thunder are in no position to worry about such details.
Russell Westbrook posted his seventh triple-double of the season to help the Thunder defeat the visiting San Antonio Spurs 90-87 on Sunday. Westbrook had 22 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.
“A win is always great in this league,” Westbrook said. “You don’t take anything for granted.”
Steven Adams added 19 points and 10 rebounds for Oklahoma City, which won even though No. 2 scorer Paul George had only eight points on two-for-17 shooting. But the Thunder held the Spurs to 40.8% shooting.
“We just missed some shots,” Westbrook said. “We overshot some that we usually make. As long as we defended — we can’t score, they can’t, either.”
Spurs starters LaMarcus Aldridge and Tony Parker sat out.
San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said Aldridge rested with a minor knee issue and Parker was “dinged up.” The Spurs are still waiting for forward Kawhi Leonard’s right quadriceps to heal. The injury news got worse on Sunday. San Antonio’s Kyle Anderson sprained his left knee with a minute remaining in the third quarter and did not return.
Golden State 123, at Miami 95:
Stephen Curry scored 30 points in 30 minutes and Kevin Durant added 24 as the Warriors swept the season series against the Heat. The Warriors trailed early and led by only two points at the half, but an 18-3 run to open the third period helped them take a 99-77 lead into the fourth period. Curry, playing with a sore finger on his shooting hand, had 16 of his points in the first quarter. Goran Dragic scored 20 points for the Heat.
Orlando 105, New York 100:
Despite missing two starters, the Knicks erased an early 17-point deficit to tie the Magic midway through the final quarter. That’s when Nikola Vucevic took over. Vucevic scored 34 points, eight straight in a decisive 10-0 fourthquarter run, as the Magic retook the lead for good. Michael Beasley, who replaced the injured Kristaps Porzingis in the starting lineup, led the Knicks with 21 points.
at Minnesota 112, Clippers 106 Rockets 118, at Lakers 95