More hoops now, and the NBA where Russell Westbrook's amazing year is continuing. The Oklahoma City guard now leads the league in scoring, averaging more than 30 a game, and is coming off back-to-back games of 40 or more. And he would be looking for another big game as OKC rolled into Boston to take on the Celtics.
Early on the hosts take control -- Isaiah Thomas, who had a career-high 44 last game, beats everyone down the floor and gets the lay-in. 9-4 Celts.
The Thunder would stay close, Russell Westbrook, gets into the lane and skips it out to the corner, and another pass finds Domantas Sabonis open for a three. career-best 20 on the night for the rookie.
OKC though, as always would be led by Westbrook, he gets the hand-off, and is able to fire from distance and that triple ties things at 54 late in the first half.
Second half, and the visitors try and pound it down low. Steven Adams working hard, and gets into the lane for the hook. Cro-Magnon man makes it a 7-point game.
The Celts go on a mini-run and are able to close the gap -- Al Horford steals the rock and he goes the other way for the throwdown. 1-point game.
The visitors though again try and work the low block. Enes Kanter hitting from the baseline. 20 for the Turk. OKC lead by 9, and lead the league in facial hair.
Boston would continue to fight back -- Thomas again out in transition, and the dimunitive guard makes a big play -- getting it off the window. He had 34, and the lead is one.
But they had no answer for Westbrook, who scored 13 points in the final three minutes, including this killer three. He finished with 45 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists, his 14th triple-double as OKC holds on for 5-point win.
In other action, the defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers would have an easy time beating the Brooklyn Nets. Lebron getting the hoop and harm to put his team in front.
The Cavs got contribtutions from everyone. Miek Dunleavy had 14 off the bench as Cleveland doubled the Nets score 48-24.
Kyrie Irving then spotting Kevin Love for the easy deuce.
And Irving once again dishing out assists, this time finding LeBron on the inbounds for the wicked jam. Cavs win their fourth straight -- 119-99 over Brooklyn.
In other games, Kawhi Leonard's 33 points paced San Antonio over Portland. Dallas edged the Clippers. Kevin Durant poured in 28 as Golden State held off Detroit. Zach lavine had a career-high 40, in Minnesota's loss to Sacramento. Giannis Antetokounmpo had a career-high 39 as Milwaukee pasted Washington. And Anthony Davis scored 28, and hauled down 22 boards in New Orleans win over Miami.
