Thunder 121, Pelicans 95
OKLAHOMA CITY -- Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant each scored 23 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 121-95 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday at Chesapeake Energy Arena.
Westbrook was one rebound shy of his ninth triple double of the season as he collected 10 assists and nine boards. Durant shot 10 of 17 from the field to go along with six assists. Forward Serge Ibaka added 18 points as the Thunder improved to 40-14.
Oklahoma City heads into the All-star break as one of three teams in the Western Conference with at least 40 wins. According to Elias Sports, that is the first time in NBA history for that to happen in any conference.
Center Anthony Davis scored 23 points to lead the Pelicans, but was limited to three rebounds and no blocked shots. Guard Jrue Holiday came off the bench to post 23 points and six assists as the Pelicans fell to 20-33.
The first time the Pelicans and Thunder faced-off earlier in the season, Davis was not in the lineup and Oklahoma City was able to take advantage of the all-star's absence.
Davis was back in the lineup this time and made his presence felt from the opening tip. Not only was he able to score, but he opened up lanes for his teammates to get off shots.
While Westbrook had a strong second quarter, it was the Thunder bench who helped open up a double-digit lead in the second quarter, Guard Anthony Morrow and forward Kyle Singler each knocked down perimeter shots when the Pelicans collapsed on Westbrook.
Oklahoma City took a 62-53 advantage into halftime.
Even though Davis had a strong game scoring, the Thunder were able to contain him on the backboards. As a team, the Pelicans were outrebounded 50-31.
Oklahoma City led 95-74 entering the fourth quarter, and rested its starters in the final period.
NOTES: The death of Ingrid Williams, the wife of Oklahoma City assistant coach Monty Williams, hit the Thunder pretty hard. "I thought about what I was going to say, but I just love Coach Monty so much, man," Thunder F Kevin Durant said. "I feel for him, man. And it's somebody we all love, I just don't understand." ... New Orleans coach Alvin Gentry talks about the importance of coaches wives in the NBA. "There are so many situations where you wives are mothers for kids away from home," Gentry said. "Especially in this league. They get younger and younger. You have to understand that when Anthony (Davis) was there, he was 19 years old." ... Thunder G Russell Westbrook's 530 assists heading into Thursday was 323 more than the next closes teammate. "I think the one thing with Russ is, he is an unselfish point guard who's got an explosive ability to score," Thunder coach Billy Donovan said. "I really believe, just being around Russell, he gets a lot of joy from passing the ball, helping his teammates, getting those guys shots."