Thunder at Spurs
Russell Westbrook's latest triple-double didn't result in a victory and that is a rare occurrence for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Westbrook attempts to record triple-double No. 25 on the season when the Thunder visit the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday.
Oklahoma City is 18-6 when Westbrook notches a triple-double this season and 51-10 in his career, but the Thunder lost 107-91 to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday despite 20 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists from Westbrook. His 24 triple-doubles are the most in a season since legendary Wilt Chamberlain posted 31 in 1967-68, and his averages of 30.8 points, 10.6 rebounds and 10.2 assists have him on pace to join Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson (1961-62) as the only players to average triple-doubles over an entire season. San Antonio dropped a 105-101 decision to the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday to open a four-game road trip and that didn't sit well with All-Star small forward Kawhi Leonard. "It doesn't matter who we lose to," Leonard told reporters. "It's always tough losing. We want to win every game. We've got another one coming up and we have to be prepared. We have to go in with the same mentality -- play defense first and let the offense come."
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, FSN Oklahoma, FSN Southwest (San Antonio)
ABOUT THE THUNDER (28-20): Westbrook averaged 27 points, 8.3 assists and 4.7 rebounds against the Spurs last season but also committed an average of 5.3 turnovers. His turnover issues have been a problem in January as the All-Star point guard is averaging 5.9 miscues and has twice recorded 10 turnovers while also having outings of eight and seven. Rookie power forward Domantas Sabonis averaged 11 points over the past two games and Oklahoma City will be looking for more offense from the first-round pick with Enes Kanter (broken forearm) sidelined for up to two months.
ABOUT THE SPURS (36-11): San Antonio blew a 15-point second-quarter lead against Dallas and stands 16-6 at home this season after matching the league record with a 40-1 mark last season. The drop in home success isn't just due to the venue as coach Gregg Popovich was dismayed by a sloppy performance and veteran guard Manu Ginobili could only agree with Popovich's assessment. "(Sunday) was mental errors, mainly, communication errors, the ones that shouldn't happen. He wasn't happy and we aren't happy. We are competitors and we want to win, too. Of course, we want to play again and have a better game."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The teams split four meetings last season.
2. San Antonio PF/C David Lee is receiving a bigger role with C Pau Gasol (hand) sidelined and is averaging 12.8 points and 8.7 rebounds while shooting 64.8 percent from the field over the past six games.
3. Oklahoma City SG Victor Oladipo is averaging 17.4 points over the past five games and reached at least 15 points in 13 of the last 15 contests.