Wizards rout Thunder for third straight victory

WASHINGTON, USA – Markieff Morris scored 23 points as the Washington Wizards took advantage of an off night by Russell Westbrook to crush the Oklahoma City Thunder 120-98 on Monday, February 13 (Tuesday in Manila).

John Wall had 15 points and 14 assists and Bradley Beal scored 22 points as all 5 starters scored in double figures for the Wizards, who led by as many as 34 points.

The Wizards also made 13 of 21 3-point attempts and shot 57% from the field overall.

Washington has won 3 straight, 10 of 11 overall and 19 of 20 at home and are an Eastern Conference-best 17-5 since New Years Day.

Westbrook scored 17 points for the Thunder, but the NBA Most Valuable Player candidate was a long way from his triple-double form.

It has been quite a week for Westbrook. Less than 48 hours after an emotional matchup against former his teammate, Golden State Warriors star Kevin Durant, he finished with 4 rebounds and 4 assists while shooting 5 of 19 from the field.

The road matchup against the Washington Wizards pitted all-star point guards Westbrook and Wall against each other.

It didn’t garner the same amount of attention that came from Durant’s first game in Oklahoma City since spurning the Thunder for the Western Conference champion Warriors.

But the same outcome means two losses in a row for the Thunder who fell to 31-25, shooting just 35.4% overall on Monday.

Denver topples Golden State

In Denver, Juancho Hernangomez nailed 6 of Denver’s franchise-record 24 3-pointers as the Nuggets blasted the Golden State Warriors 132-110.

Nikola Jokic had 17 points, 21 rebounds and 12 assists for his second triple-double. He set career highs for assists and rebounds but was overshadowed by the team’s outside shooting as 4 players hit at least 4 3-pointers,

Kevin Durant scored 25 points for Golden State. The Warriors were just 8 of 32 from 3-point range, including Stephen Curry’s one-of-11. Curry went 4 of 18 from the field and finished with just 11 points. – Rappler.com