Pelicans at Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder have dropped consecutive games following a season-high eight-game winning streak. The Thunder look to start a new run in Friday's home game, one night after suffering a last-second 127-124 road loss to the Denver Nuggets.
A defensive breakdown led to Denver's Gary Harris sinking the game-winning 3-pointer in a contest that saw Oklahoma City All-Stars Paul George (season-high 43 points) and Russell Westbrook (20 points, season-best 21 assists) have big offensive performances. Westbrook lost track of Harris on the decisive play and then shoved a taunting fan who came on the court - "they can't come on the floor, that's totally unacceptable," Westbrook told reporters. The Pelicans have lost both games since All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins suffered a season-ending Achilles injury and now have a tough road back-to-back with the Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday. New Orleans made a move Thursday by acquiring forward Nikola Mirotic from the Chicago Bulls for center Omer Asik and guards Tony Allen and Jameer Nelson as well as a 2018 first-round draft pick.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, FS New Orleans, FS Oklahoma
ABOUT THE PELICANS (27-23): Mirotic requested a trade earlier this season after being punched in the face by teammate Bobby Portis and missing the first 23 games, and he finally got his wish granted. The 26-year-old has played well since his return with career-best averages of 16.8 points and 6.4 rebounds and had his $12.5 million option for next season picked up by New Orleans as a condition of the deal. I'm really happy about it," Mirotic told reporters after the trade, "and I just want to keep enjoying this moment because this is the best moment I've felt in the NBA and it's kind of really fun for me."
ABOUT THE THUNDER (30-22): George was 19-of-26 from the field against the Nuggets and his fifth 3-pointer of the contest tied the score with 1.4 seconds left. He is meshing well with Westbrook and is averaging 30 points over the past seven games, topping 25 six times during the stretch. Westbrook's 20-20 outing was his second in the past seven games and he is averaging 28.9 points during the stretch, including a season-high 46 points against the Washington Wizards on Jan. 25.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Thunder have won four consecutive home meetings with the Pelicans.
2. New Orleans All-Star PF Anthony Davis had 36 points and 15 rebounds in a 114-107 victory over Oklahoma City on Nov. 20.
3. Slumping Oklahoma City F Carmelo Anthony is averaging 14.8 points on 37 percent shooting over the past six games.