Russell Westbrook had another monster game for the Oklahoma City Thunder, but it was E'Twaun Moore who stole the show for the Chicago Bulls Thursday night. Moore hit the go-ahead 3-pointer with 2.1 seconds left to lift the Bulls past the Thunder 108-105. Chicago also ended Westbrook's triple-double streak at 4 games.
Westbrook had 43 points on 14-of-32 shooting while adding 7 assists and 8 rebounds. His potential game-tying floater fell short, and he admitted that he should have given the ball to an open Serge Ibaka. Ibaka finished with 25 points and 9 rebounds for the Thunder.
The All-Star game MVP had a career-high 49 points on Wednesday and was the first player with 4 straight triple-doubles since Michael Jordan had 7 in a row in 1989. He recorded at least 40 points for the third straight game, wearing a mask and headband for the second straight outing. He fractured a bone in his right cheek on Friday night and underwent surgery on Saturday.
Westbrook had 19 points in the third quarter to give the Thunder a 7-point lead, but the Bulls took over with some late heroics in the fourth. Nikola Mirotic led the way with 26 points, while Pau Gasol finished with 21 points and 12 rebounds. Joakim Noah grabbed 12 rebounds, which puts him over 5,000 boards in his career.
In a close game late, playing without Jimmy Butler and Derrick Rose, it only makes sense for the Bulls to give the ball to Moore. He had a career-high 19 points on the night, and hit the biggest shot of his career to lift the Bulls as the unexpected hero.
Chicago overcame a 16-point first half deficit and finished their 7-game homestand at 5-2.
The Bulls now sit at the top of the Central Division with a 39-23 record and will visit the Indiana Pacers tonight. The Thunder fall to 34-28 on the season and will host the Toronto Raptors on Sunday night.
Westbrook had 43 points on 14-of-32 shooting while adding 7 assists and 8 rebounds. His potential game-tying floater fell short, and he admitted that he should have given the ball to an open Serge Ibaka. Ibaka finished with 25 points and 9 rebounds for the Thunder.
The All-Star game MVP had a career-high 49 points on Wednesday and was the first player with 4 straight triple-doubles since Michael Jordan had 7 in a row in 1989. He recorded at least 40 points for the third straight game, wearing a mask and headband for the second straight outing. He fractured a bone in his right cheek on Friday night and underwent surgery on Saturday.
Westbrook had 19 points in the third quarter to give the Thunder a 7-point lead, but the Bulls took over with some late heroics in the fourth. Nikola Mirotic led the way with 26 points, while Pau Gasol finished with 21 points and 12 rebounds. Joakim Noah grabbed 12 rebounds, which puts him over 5,000 boards in his career.
In a close game late, playing without Jimmy Butler and Derrick Rose, it only makes sense for the Bulls to give the ball to Moore. He had a career-high 19 points on the night, and hit the biggest shot of his career to lift the Bulls as the unexpected hero.
Chicago overcame a 16-point first half deficit and finished their 7-game homestand at 5-2.
The Bulls now sit at the top of the Central Division with a 39-23 record and will visit the Indiana Pacers tonight. The Thunder fall to 34-28 on the season and will host the Toronto Raptors on Sunday night.
