Westbrook's Dominant Night Leads Thunder Rally
Russell Westbrook gave himself a major boost in the MVP race on Wednesday night with a monster performance to fuel a furious Oklahoma City rally. Westbrook had 57 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists to lead the Thunder past the Orlando Magic in overtime, 114-106. The 57 points is the most in a triple-double in NBA history, as it helped his team come back from a 21-point second-half deficit. The star point guard hit a ridiculous game-tying three with seven seconds left, finishing with his 38th triple-double of the season. Victor Oladipo returned to Orlando for the first time since leaving the Magic, putting up 13 points against his former team. The Thunder outscored the Magic, 12-4, in the extra period, as they clinched a playoff spot with their victory.
Warriors Rally Past the Spurs on the Road
Another team that used a major rally on the road Wednesday night was the Golden State Warriors, who came back from a 22-point deficit to take out the San Antonio Spurs, 110-98. Steph Curry had 29 points, while Klay Thompson added 23, as the Warriors extended their lead for the top spot in the West to 3.5 games. It was also their ninth straight victory, a day after knocking off the Rockets in Houston. The Spurs got out to a 33-17 lead, a game after blowing out the Cavaliers by 29 points on Monday night. The 16-point lead on Wednesday was the largest after one quarter this season. The loss snaps a five-game win streak for the Spurs, who are still 29-8 on their home floor. Part of the reason they gave up such a big lead was them turning the ball over 14 times in the final three quarters. Kawhi Leonard led the way with 19 points on 7-for-20 shooting for San Antonio. Golden State shot 13-for-26 from beyond the arc, which surprised absolutely no one in their win.
Wall's Big Night Not Enough in Wizards' Loss
The Washington Wizards are in the midst of a tough west coast trip, in which they are really proving themselves as legitimate threats in the East. John Wall has been coming through time and time again as of late, and did so again on Wednesday with 41 points, but the Wizards fell to the Los Angeles Clippers, 133-124. J.J. Reddick had a season-high 31 points, hitting seven three-pointers on the night. DeAndre Jordan added a double-double of 23 points and 18 rebounds, going 7-of-12 from the free throw line. Washington was coming off a comeback win over the Lakers the night before, in which they clinched their first division title in 38 years. They have not defeated the Clippers at the Staples Centers since February of 2008. Bradley Beal added 27 points for the Wizards, who are now 17-19 away from our nation's capital.
Russell Westbrook gave himself a major boost in the MVP race on Wednesday night with a monster performance to fuel a furious Oklahoma City rally. Westbrook had 57 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists to lead the Thunder past the Orlando Magic in overtime, 114-106. The 57 points is the most in a triple-double in NBA history, as it helped his team come back from a 21-point second-half deficit. The star point guard hit a ridiculous game-tying three with seven seconds left, finishing with his 38th triple-double of the season. Victor Oladipo returned to Orlando for the first time since leaving the Magic, putting up 13 points against his former team. The Thunder outscored the Magic, 12-4, in the extra period, as they clinched a playoff spot with their victory.
Warriors Rally Past the Spurs on the Road
Another team that used a major rally on the road Wednesday night was the Golden State Warriors, who came back from a 22-point deficit to take out the San Antonio Spurs, 110-98. Steph Curry had 29 points, while Klay Thompson added 23, as the Warriors extended their lead for the top spot in the West to 3.5 games. It was also their ninth straight victory, a day after knocking off the Rockets in Houston. The Spurs got out to a 33-17 lead, a game after blowing out the Cavaliers by 29 points on Monday night. The 16-point lead on Wednesday was the largest after one quarter this season. The loss snaps a five-game win streak for the Spurs, who are still 29-8 on their home floor. Part of the reason they gave up such a big lead was them turning the ball over 14 times in the final three quarters. Kawhi Leonard led the way with 19 points on 7-for-20 shooting for San Antonio. Golden State shot 13-for-26 from beyond the arc, which surprised absolutely no one in their win.
Wall's Big Night Not Enough in Wizards' Loss
The Washington Wizards are in the midst of a tough west coast trip, in which they are really proving themselves as legitimate threats in the East. John Wall has been coming through time and time again as of late, and did so again on Wednesday with 41 points, but the Wizards fell to the Los Angeles Clippers, 133-124. J.J. Reddick had a season-high 31 points, hitting seven three-pointers on the night. DeAndre Jordan added a double-double of 23 points and 18 rebounds, going 7-of-12 from the free throw line. Washington was coming off a comeback win over the Lakers the night before, in which they clinched their first division title in 38 years. They have not defeated the Clippers at the Staples Centers since February of 2008. Bradley Beal added 27 points for the Wizards, who are now 17-19 away from our nation's capital.
