Westbrook sparks Thunder over Nuggets
DENVER -- Russell Westbrook scored 36 points with 18 assists and 12 rebounds and sparked a late rally to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder past the Denver Nuggets in overtime Friday, 132-127.
Westbrook scored 24 points in the fourth quarter and overtime and finished an assist shy of his career high. Victor Oladipo had 26 points for the Thunder (8-9), which ended a three-game skid.
Wilson Chandler led a depleted Denver roster with a season-high 30 points 11 rebounds and Jameer Nelson had 21 points and 13 assists, both season highs for him.
The Nuggets (6-10) played without Danilo Gallinari for the second straight game with a right thigh injury. Rookie Juancho Hernangomez started in his place Wednesday night in Utah but sprained his right ankle late in the loss and couldn't play.
Will Barton, who returned last week after missing nine games, was away from the team for personal reasons, as was Mike Miller. Gary Harris is expected to miss a few more weeks with a right foot injury.
Nelson hit another 3-pointer midway through the quarter to make it 106-93 then Westbrook took over. He scored 16 points in the final 4:11 of regulation to spark a rally that gave Oklahoma City a 122-119 lead with 9.5 seconds left.
Steven Adams fouled Murray on a 3-point attempt, and the rookie, who took a hard fall earlier in the period, sank all three free throws to tie it with 8.3 seconds left.
Kenneth Faried blocked Westbrook's layup at the buzzer to send it into overtime.
The Thunder never trailed in the overtime and took the lead for good on Oladipo's two free throws with 2:45 left. Murray, who finished with 20 points, hit 1 of 2 at the other end and Adams split a pair at the other end.
The score remained 129-127 for a few possessions but Chandler missed a layup with 13.7 seconds left. Westbrook hit three free throws to ice it.
NOTES: The Nuggets' depleted roster could get some reinforcements for Sunday's game in Phoenix. G Will Barton and F Mike Miller were both away for personal reasons. Coach Michael Malone said he expects Miller back Saturday. F Danilo Gallinari's right thigh injury didn't require an MRI and he said it was feeling better. ... Denver faced a familiar face in Joffrey Lauvergne, who played the past two seasons with Denver. He came into Friday's game averaging 6.7 points and 4.4 rebounds in 15.8 minutes for Oklahoma City. ... The Nuggets were 4-12 against the Northwest Division last year and entered Friday 2-3. ... The Thunder have used the same starting lineup in all 17 games this season.