Thunder at Trail Blazers
Russell Westbrook can match Wilt Chamberlain (1967-68) for the second-most triple-doubles in a season when the Oklahoma City Thunder visit the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday. Westbrook has rolled off four consecutive triple-doubles to join Chamberlain (31) and Oscar Robertson (41 in 1961-62) as the only players to record 30 or more in a season.
Westbrook scored over 40 points in each of his last two triple-doubles, including 43 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in Tuesday's 109-106 victory over the Utah Jazz. His five 40-point triple-doubles this season join James Harden (also this season) and the legendary Robertson (1963-64) for most in NBA history. The Thunder won all four games in Westbrook's current triple-double streak while Portland is trying to dig out of a rut that has seen it drop seven of its last nine. The Trail Blazers are one of five teams attempting to chase down the Denver Nuggets for the eighth and final Western Conference playoff spot.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, TNT
ABOUT THE THUNDER (35-25): Westbrook scored 42 points in a home win over Portland early last month and has five 40-point outings in the past 14 contests. The star point guard took over Tuesday's victory over Utah by scoring 12 points in the final 2:05 as the Thunder held off the Jazz. "We have a player in Russell that has great internal belief in himself, great internal belief in his teammates, and he's always playing with a level of optimism, a level of enthusiasm and with a never-die attitude all the time," Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan said afterward. "Regardless of what's happened on the previous play, he can move to the next play."
ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (24-35): Portland ended a four-game road trip with a 1-3 mark as it fell 120-113 in overtime to the Detroit Pistons. The Trail Blazers were sloppy with the ball against Detroit as they committed 24 turnovers (to eight for the Pistons) with the starting backcourt of shooting guard CJ McCollum (six) and Damian Lillard (four) combining for 10. "We've always been a team that takes care of the ball, but that's not happening right now," Lillard told reporters. "We can't give the ball away all the time and expect to win games, especially on the road."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Trail Blazers won their last five home contests versus the Thunder.
2. Lillard scored 34 points against the Pistons and is averaging 31.7 over the past three games.
3. Oklahoma City signed journeyman PG Norris Cole for the rest of the season.