RUSSELL Westbrook capped another triple-double performance with a scorching scoring run down the stretch to help Oklahoma City Thunder pull away late against the Memphis Grizzlies, 114-102, and snap out of a three-game slide on Friday (Saturday, Manila time).
Westbrook had his 25th triple-double of the season with 38 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists and scored 15 straight points in a 21-4 closing run to complete the Thunder’s fourth-quarter comeback.
Both teams engaged in a tight battle early until the Thunder got going in the second quarter and brought a 58-48 lead at the half. But the Grizzlies went on a 18-6 run bridging the third and fourth periods to take a 91-85 advantage with more than eight minutes to play.
OKC still trailed 98-93 after a Marc Gasol jumper at the 4:39 mark before the Thunder went on the pivotal run starting with back-to-back triples from Joffrey Lauvergne and Anthony Morrow. Zach Randolph scored Memphis’ final basket with 2:50 left before Westbrook went on to drop 15 unanswered points to seal the win.
Steven Adams and Lauvergne each scored 16 while Morrow added 15 off the bench to help the Thunder improve their record to 29-22.
Gasol led Memphis (30-22) with 31 points and eight assists. Mike Conley had 18 markers, while Randolph finished with a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds off the bench.
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