Westbrook scores 30 to carry Thunder past Rockets
OKLAHOMA CITY -- Russell Westbrook scored 30 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 105-103 victory over the Houston Rockets Wednesday at the Chesapeake Energy Arena.
Westbrook shot 9 of 20 from the field to go with nine assists and seven rebounds. He also shot 10 of 11 from the free-throw line.
Thunder guard Victor Oladipo posted 29 points and 10 rebounds. No other player from Oklahoma City scored in double figures as they broke a four game losing streak.
The Rockets had seven players score at least 10 points. Ryan Anderson led the charge with 14 points. James Harden added 13 points and 13 assists. Eric Gordon and Clint Capela also scored 13 points in the loss.
With 5:38 left in the fourth, Westbrook nailed a corner 3-pointer to cut Rockets lead down to 100-97. Oklahoma City came up empty on their next three possessions before Oladipo tied the game with another 3-pointer.
Harden missed a jumper and the Thunder came down and took advantage with a Westbrook to Andre Roberson alley-oop dunk to give Oklahoma City a 102-100 advantage with 1:43 left.
Houston got the ball with a one minutes on the clock. Harden passed to Trevor Ariza, who missed a 3-pointer from in front of the Thunder bench.
Oklahoma City got the rebound and Westbrook was fouled. He missed 1-of-2 from the line as the Thunder went ahead by 3.
Harden missed a 3-pointer but the Rockets got the loose ball. However, they threw it away trying to set up another 3-point attempt.
Oklahoma City threw the ball inbounds with 12.4 on the clock. Alex Abrines got the ball and drove to the rim instead of making the Rockets foul him. He missed the layup and the ball went out of bounds.
After a replay, the ball was given to Oklahoma City. This time the ball went to Westbrook, who drove straight to the rim for a ferocious dunk on the Rockets to give the Thunder a five-point lead with 5.5 left. That was all they needed to hold on for the win.
After a string of subpar games, Oklahoma City's Steven Adams started out the night looking to have an impact offensively. He hit his first three shots for a quick six points in the first quarter.
The combination of Adams, Oladipo and Westbrook combined to score 23 first-quarter points as the Thunder took 38-32 lead.
It was the Rockets bench that got them back into the game after being down by 13 points. The 3-point shooting of Anderson, Ariza and Sam Dekker gave the Rockets a five-point lead in the second quarter.
However, Westbrook and Oladipo stayed hot and carried the Thunder to a 65-63 halftime advantage. The Oklahoma City backcourt had combined for 35 points on 13 of 19 shooting.
What made the Rockets offensive outburst so impressive was that Harden wasn't looking for his shot. By the end of the third quarter, he had only 11 points. However, he was controlling the game with his passing and setting the pace like a veteran point guard and not just a guard who plays the point.
NOTES: Oklahoma City G Russell Westbrook will be inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame on Thursday night. One year after Westbrook presented Kevin Durant, Basketball Hall of Famer Michael Jordan will do the same for Westbrook. Houston's James Harden was impressed. "That's baller right there," Harden said. "That's baller. Russell is a rare person. Obviously on the court, but off the court. Loving, genuine. He deserves everything he gets. Obviously, with him being with Jordan shoe company, and Michael making the trip, shows how talented he is." ... Houston coach Mike D'Antoni had expected G Patrick Beverley to make his season debut against Oklahoma City. But Wednesday morning he announced Beverley wouldn't suit up and but would start Thursday night against Portland. ... Coach Billy Donovan said lack of practice time has affected some of Oklahoma City's recent play. "The games are coming so quickly," Donovan said. "And I think in fairness to our guys, one of the things that have been somewhat challenging for me is the fact that we've had very limited practice time. Especially with some of these younger guys." ... D'Antoni said he hasn't been surprised with how well G Eric Gordon has played this season. "I had him at USA basketball," D'Antoni said. "He was one of the best players there. If he stays healthy, he's 27 years old, there is no reason why he can't be one of the better players in the league."