There were five games in the NBA on Tuesday night and all eyes were on the Barclays Center in Brooklyn as Russell Westbrook’s attempt at rewriting history continued with another triple-double.
Westbrook helps Thunder roll past Nets
The Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Brooklyn Nets 122-104 with Russell Westbrook in the zone again as he ended the contest with 25 points, 19 assists and 12 rebounds for his 33rd triple-double of the season. He now has 70 career triple-doubles and is nine away from setting a new NBA record for most triple-doubles in a season. Nigerian-American shooting guard Victor Oladipo scored 21 points for his team with Taj Gibson and Enes Kanter combining for 34 points as they both scored 17.
The Nets were led by Brook Lopez who finished the game with 25 points. Jeremy Lin weighed in with 24 points and five assists. Caris LeVert scored 16 points and Randy Foye added 13 points of his own.
Cavaliers blow out Pistons
LeBron James was in sublime touch as he led the way for the Cleveland Cavaliers who humbled the Detroit Pistons 128-96. James recorded a tenth triple-double of the season, a new franchise season record, as he recorded 16 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds. Kyrie Irving led the scoring in the game with 26 points. Iman Shumpert added 18 points to the boxscore while Richard Jefferson scored 16 points.
For the Pistons Tobias Harris was their top contributor as he ended the game with 17 points. Marcus Morris had 13 points and seven rebounds, with Ish Smith and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope the only other double-digit scorers with 12 and 11 points respectively.
Warriors end three-game skid by edging Sixers
The Golden State Warriors weren’t overly convincing as they edged out the Philadelphia 76ers 106-104 at Oracle Arena. With the lead changing hands numerous times, a solid fourth-quarter performance gave the Dubs the victory. On his 29th birthday Stephen Curry shook off some of his scoring woes by scoring 29 points. He also had six rebounds, five assists and three steals. Klay Thompson scored 28 points and Draymond Green filled the stats sheet with 20 points, eight rebounds, eight assists, six blocks and four steals.
The Sixers saw another impressive showing from Dario Saric who finished the contest with 25 points, seven rebounds, six assists, three steals and two blocks. Jahlil Okafor scored 22 points and grabbed six boards. Richaun Holmes added 14 points off the bench.
Knicks fight back to down Pacers
The New York Knicks clawed their way back to win 87-81 against the Indiana Pacers, after having trailed by 13 points in the third quarter. Carmelo Anthony claimed a double-double with 22 points and 13 rebounds at Madison Square Garden. Derrick Rose scored 16 points, Willy Hernangomez also claimed a double-double with 13 points and 16 rebounds and Kristaps Porzingis ended with 11 points.
The Pacers had a poor offensive night and only two players scored in double digits. Paul George finished the game with a 22-point, 10-rebound double-double and Miles Turner also weighed in with a double-double as he had 17 points and 12 boards.
Boogie and the Brow take down Blazers
The New Orleans Pelicans got the better of the Portland Trail Blazers, winning 100-77 in a dominant display. DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis were hugely impressive. Cousins scored 22 points, pulled down nine rebounds, had three assists, three steals and two blocks. Davis had a double-double of 15 points and 12 boards that included a highlight reel dunk off a Cousins alley-oop pass. Jordan Crawford added 13 points off the pine.
Only two Trail Blazers scored in double digits as they struggled. Damian Lillard scored 29 points and Shabazz Napier tallied 10. Liberian-American Noah Vonleh scored three points and claimed 10 boards. Nigerian forward Al-Farouq Aminu only scored a point but grabbed 10 rebounds.
By Cyrus Rogers
