The Oklahoma City Thunder kicked off their second half with a thrilling matchup on their home floor Friday night. And once again, they went to possibly the hottest player in all of the NBA right now to pull off a big win. Paul George hit the game-winning basket with just 0.6 seconds on the clock to give the Thunder a 148-147 win over the Utah Jazz. George's floater gave him 45 points on the night and the Thunder their 48th win of the season, which has them in third place in the Western Conference. George knew he was taking the final shot, as he dribbled out the final seconds himself before driving and winning the game. Kyle Korver missed on a desperate three as time expired to seal the Jazz's tough loss.
Russell Westbrook added 43 points, 15 rebounds, and eight assists on the night, but saw his NBA-record triple-double streak end at 11 consecutive games. He fouled out with 1:09 left in the first overtime, which haunted him on extending that streak. Donovan Mitchell finished with 38 points for the tough Jazz, while Derrick Favors finished with 24 points and 11 rebounds after making his first 10 shots. Rudy Gobert also had a double-double of 26 points and 16 rebounds, but the 32-26 Jazz move on to host the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday night. The Thunder will stay at home to host the Sacramento Kings that same night.
Meanwhile, the Toronto Raptors welcomed back DeMar DeRozan north of the border on Friday night, and then helped Kawhi Leonard get his first win over his former team. Leonard had 25 points, the go-ahead dunk, and then the game-sealing steal in the final seconds in the Raptors' 120-117 win over the San Antonio Spurs at Scotiabank Arena. DeRozan beat the Raptors with ease in San Antonio earlier this season, and was welcomed with a tribute video and a standing ovation before Friday's contest. The new star, Leonard, scored 19 of his 25 points after halftime, while Pascal Siakam added 22 points in the Raptors' seventh consecutive victory.
Kyle Lowry, a good friend of DeRozan's, had 17 points, as did Danny Green, while Serge Ibaka recorded a double-double of 13 points and 15 rebounds. Jeremy Lin was playing his second game with Toronto and put up 11 points in his home debut. The former Raptors star led the Spurs with 23 points, while Marco Belinelli added 21 points off the bench. The Spurs finished with five players in double figures, but suffered their 27th loss as they move on to visit the New York Knicks on Sunday night. The Raptors will put their win streak on the line on Sunday against the Orlando Magic.
Russell Westbrook added 43 points, 15 rebounds, and eight assists on the night, but saw his NBA-record triple-double streak end at 11 consecutive games. He fouled out with 1:09 left in the first overtime, which haunted him on extending that streak. Donovan Mitchell finished with 38 points for the tough Jazz, while Derrick Favors finished with 24 points and 11 rebounds after making his first 10 shots. Rudy Gobert also had a double-double of 26 points and 16 rebounds, but the 32-26 Jazz move on to host the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday night. The Thunder will stay at home to host the Sacramento Kings that same night.
Meanwhile, the Toronto Raptors welcomed back DeMar DeRozan north of the border on Friday night, and then helped Kawhi Leonard get his first win over his former team. Leonard had 25 points, the go-ahead dunk, and then the game-sealing steal in the final seconds in the Raptors' 120-117 win over the San Antonio Spurs at Scotiabank Arena. DeRozan beat the Raptors with ease in San Antonio earlier this season, and was welcomed with a tribute video and a standing ovation before Friday's contest. The new star, Leonard, scored 19 of his 25 points after halftime, while Pascal Siakam added 22 points in the Raptors' seventh consecutive victory.
Kyle Lowry, a good friend of DeRozan's, had 17 points, as did Danny Green, while Serge Ibaka recorded a double-double of 13 points and 15 rebounds. Jeremy Lin was playing his second game with Toronto and put up 11 points in his home debut. The former Raptors star led the Spurs with 23 points, while Marco Belinelli added 21 points off the bench. The Spurs finished with five players in double figures, but suffered their 27th loss as they move on to visit the New York Knicks on Sunday night. The Raptors will put their win streak on the line on Sunday against the Orlando Magic.
