Westbrook's triple-double lifts Thunder past Mavs
DALLAS -- Russell Westbrook finished off a 14-0 game-ending run with an 18-foot jumper to lift the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 92-91 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Monday night at American Airlines Center.
The Thunder (42-31) were in trouble for much of the game, and they trailed by as many as 14 in the fourth. After the Mavericks went up 91-78, Dallas didn't score again.
Westbrook's final shot from just inside the top of the key connected with 7.1 seconds left. Harrison Barnes missed a long 3-pointer at the buzzer for Dallas.
Westbrook racked his 37th triple-double with 37 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists. He needs four more triple-doubles to tie Oscar Robertson's single-season record of 41 set in 1961-62.
Oklahoma City improved to 30-7 this season when Westbrook notches a triple-double. The Thunder had won 11 in row in such cases before a 137-125 loss at the Rockets on Sunday.
Victor Oladipo had 15 points and nine rebounds for the Thunder, and Taj Gibson had 13 points and six boards.
Dallas reserves Devin Harris, J.J. Barea and Salah Mejri led the way for the home team, combining for 30 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists. That trio also had the team's three highest point differentials, each at least a plus-8. All five starters were in negative figures.
Westbrook missed a potential go-ahead shot with about 20 seconds left. The Mavs (31-42) rebounded the miss and called timeout. Dallas lost the ball on the inbounds pass, as Westbrook pressured Barea on the sideline.
With the ball in his hands, Westbrook gave Oklahoma City its first lead of the second half when it mattered most.
Nerlens Noel had 15 points and eight boards for Dallas, with Wesley Matthews also scoring 15.
Oklahoma City came out firing in the third quarter, cutting 14 points off a 15-point deficit to get within 56-55. The Mavs would respond with a 10-0 spurt and were back up 69-57 going into the fourth.
The Mavericks took a 26-25 lead with a 12-4 run to end the first quarter and took control by dominating the second. Dallas scored the first 10 points of second period on its way to a 45-30 advantage.
That 15-point lead remained intact going into halftime at 50-35. Noel had 10 points and six boards at the break, with Matthews scoring nine.
Westbrook was a one-man show with 17 points, eight rebounds and five assists in the first half, but received little help. His teammates combined to shoot 28 percent (7 of 25) in the first half.
After a 1-3 homestand, the Mavs open a five-game road trip Wednesday at New Orleans.
Oklahoma City looks to finish off a 2-1 road trip Wednesday at Orlando.
NOTES: Dallas coach Rick Carlisle isn't betting against Thunder PG Russell Westbrook finishing the season averaging a triple-double. "If he puts his mind to it, he can pretty much do anything on the basketball court," Carlisle said. ... Oklahoma City improved to 1-6 on the second night of a back-to-back after losing the first game. ... Mavericks PG Seth Curry (shoulder) was out and PG Yogi Ferrell (13 points) started in his place. ... The Thunder improved to 7-6 in March. ... Oklahoma City won the season series 2-1. ... The Mavs recalled G Manny Harris and F Jarrod Uthoff from the Texas Legends of the NBA Development League.