Spurs beat Thunder despite Westbrook's triple-double
OKLAHOMA CITY -- Kawhi Leonard scored 28 points to lead the San Antonio Spurs to a 100-95 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder Friday at Chesapeake Energy Arena.
Leonard shot 10 of 22 from the field and grabbed 10 rebounds. Pau Gasol added 17 points while LaMarcus Aldridge scored 14.
Russell Westbrook posted 32 points, 15 rebounds and 12 assists to get his 39th triple-double of the season. He is only two triple-doubles behind Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson, who holds the season record with 41.
Oklahoma City's Victor Oladipo scored 12 of his 16 points in the first half. Steven Adams added 13 points while Enes Kanter came off the bench to post 11 points as the Thunder dropped to 43-32.
With 4:28 left in the fourth quarter the Spurs' Patty Mills drained a 3-pointer to tie the game at 85-85. But Westbrook scored in the lane to put the Thunder back up by two.
After Aldridge tied the game again with a fade-away jumper, Kanter responded with his own corner jumper.
Westbrook gave the Thunder a three-point advantage with 1:46 left in the game with a pair of free throws. But Gasol knocked in two of his own and the Thunder led 93-92.
Aldridge put the Spurs ahead by one with 56.1 seconds on the clock after he was sent to the free throw line. Adams and Aldridge then exchanged layups and San Antonio held a 96-95 lead with 18.7 seconds left.
After a timeout, Westbrook drove the ball into the lane and tried a difficult layup. But his shot was blocked. Leonard came up with a three-point play to close out the contest.
NOTES: Even though Oscar Robertson holds the record for the most triple-doubles in a season, the Hall of Famer said he is rooting for Oklahoma City guard Russell Westbrook to break his record. "I always thought he was a great basketball player," Robertson told ESPN.com. "I was talking to some basketball people the other night, and I said, 'I don't think any of these guards can beat him on a one-on-one game.' I think he's been tremendous for the team, his fans and also for television." ... After being sick for past two days, Oklahoma City F Taj Gibson did not play Friday against San Antonio. F Domantas Sabonis started in his place.