Westbrook Puts Up 58 in OKC Loss to Portland
Russell Westbrook has nearly been a one-man team all season long, and that's exactly what he was on Tuesday night. Unfortunately, his career-best effort was not enough, as the Portland Trail Blazers overcame a 58-point effort from the point guard in a 126-121 win over the Thunder. The Trail Blazers shot 55 percent from the field to hold off OKC, as they had three players finish above 20 points in their third straight victory. Allen Crabbe had 23 points, Damian Lillard added 22, and C.J. McCollum 21, as the Blazers pulled within a game and a half of the Denver Nuggets for the final playoff spot in the West. Westbrook shot 21 of 39 on the night for OKC, including just 6 of 15 in the fourth quarter, and he also finished with nine assists. The Thunder shot 52 percent from the floor, but still fell short for their fourth straight defeat. They led by just five at the break, despite shooting 68 percent in the first two quarters. Westbrook ended the first half with 28 points, which is his highest scoring half on the season. Unfortunately, his defense could not stop the offense of Portland, who led by as many as 12 in the second half.
Gonzaga Rolls to WCC Title
The fourth-ranked Gonzaga Bulldogs are definitely in contention for a top seed in the NCAA Tournament, and they stated their case on Tuesday night. Nigel Williams-Goss had 22 points, while Przemek Karnowski added 15, as the Bulldogs blew past No. 19 Saint Mary's, 74-56. The win gives them their fifth straight West Coast Conference Tournament Title, as they participated in their 20th consecutive tournament final. They got there by slipping past Santa Clara for a nine-point semifinal victory. The former No. 1 team came out rolling in the first half, holding a 21-point halftime lead, which gave them wiggle room in the second half. They played well everywhere on the floor, shooting 50 percent overall, scoring 20 points off turnovers, and outscoring the Gaels by 16 in the paint. Saint Mary's falls to the Bulldogs for a third time this season, and will now wait for Selection Sunday on if they will be a part of March Madness. The one-loss Bulldogs are hoping to land a No. 1 seed come tournament time.
Lundqvist Moves Up on All-Time Wins List
Henrik Lundqvist looked masterful on Tuesday night, which led to him moving up on the all-time wins list. Lundqvist made 43 saves, leading the New York Rangers past the Florida Panthers, 5-2, for his 404th career victory. That puts him in 10th place all-time in the NHL, as he sits at 30 wins on the season. He is now the only goalie to record at least 30 victories in 11 of his first 12 seasons. He, along with Martin Brodeur and Patrick Roy, are the only ones with 30 wins in 10 seasons overall. Meanwhile, it was also a big night for Tanner Glass, who scored in his second game since being recalled from the AHL. The goal was his first NHL tally since March of 2016. Glass was waived before the season, and had spent the entire season with Hartford in the AHL. Nick Holden, Kevin Hayes, Chris Kreider, and Pavel Buchnevich also scored in New York's fifth straight road victory.
Russell Westbrook has nearly been a one-man team all season long, and that's exactly what he was on Tuesday night. Unfortunately, his career-best effort was not enough, as the Portland Trail Blazers overcame a 58-point effort from the point guard in a 126-121 win over the Thunder. The Trail Blazers shot 55 percent from the field to hold off OKC, as they had three players finish above 20 points in their third straight victory. Allen Crabbe had 23 points, Damian Lillard added 22, and C.J. McCollum 21, as the Blazers pulled within a game and a half of the Denver Nuggets for the final playoff spot in the West. Westbrook shot 21 of 39 on the night for OKC, including just 6 of 15 in the fourth quarter, and he also finished with nine assists. The Thunder shot 52 percent from the floor, but still fell short for their fourth straight defeat. They led by just five at the break, despite shooting 68 percent in the first two quarters. Westbrook ended the first half with 28 points, which is his highest scoring half on the season. Unfortunately, his defense could not stop the offense of Portland, who led by as many as 12 in the second half.
Gonzaga Rolls to WCC Title
The fourth-ranked Gonzaga Bulldogs are definitely in contention for a top seed in the NCAA Tournament, and they stated their case on Tuesday night. Nigel Williams-Goss had 22 points, while Przemek Karnowski added 15, as the Bulldogs blew past No. 19 Saint Mary's, 74-56. The win gives them their fifth straight West Coast Conference Tournament Title, as they participated in their 20th consecutive tournament final. They got there by slipping past Santa Clara for a nine-point semifinal victory. The former No. 1 team came out rolling in the first half, holding a 21-point halftime lead, which gave them wiggle room in the second half. They played well everywhere on the floor, shooting 50 percent overall, scoring 20 points off turnovers, and outscoring the Gaels by 16 in the paint. Saint Mary's falls to the Bulldogs for a third time this season, and will now wait for Selection Sunday on if they will be a part of March Madness. The one-loss Bulldogs are hoping to land a No. 1 seed come tournament time.
Lundqvist Moves Up on All-Time Wins List
Henrik Lundqvist looked masterful on Tuesday night, which led to him moving up on the all-time wins list. Lundqvist made 43 saves, leading the New York Rangers past the Florida Panthers, 5-2, for his 404th career victory. That puts him in 10th place all-time in the NHL, as he sits at 30 wins on the season. He is now the only goalie to record at least 30 victories in 11 of his first 12 seasons. He, along with Martin Brodeur and Patrick Roy, are the only ones with 30 wins in 10 seasons overall. Meanwhile, it was also a big night for Tanner Glass, who scored in his second game since being recalled from the AHL. The goal was his first NHL tally since March of 2016. Glass was waived before the season, and had spent the entire season with Hartford in the AHL. Nick Holden, Kevin Hayes, Chris Kreider, and Pavel Buchnevich also scored in New York's fifth straight road victory.
