Westbrook goes off on reporter: ‘Don’t try to split us up’

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Westbrook goes off on reporter: ‘Don’t try to split us up’
'Don't try to split us up. Don't try to make us go against each other,' says an incensed Westbrook

LOS ANGELES, USA – Russell Westbrook snapped at a reporter as he defended his teammates after the Oklahoma City Thunder absorbed a 113-109 loss to the Houston Rockets, who seized a commanding 3-1 lead in their first-round playoff series.

The reporter was trying to ask Steven Adams a question about the team’s performance when their star guard wasn’t on the court, but Westbrook took over the microphone and defended his teammates.

“I don’t want nobody to try and split us up. We’re all one team. We’re in this together,” he said.

“Don’t try to split us up. Don’t try to make us go against each other, try to make it Russell against the rest of the guys, Russell against Houston. I don’t want to hear that. We’re in this together. We play as a team. And that’s all that matters.”

The reporter had good reason for bringing up the question as the Thunder are unable to score if Westbrook sits on the bench or hits a dry scoring patch.

With Westbrook on the bench Sunday, Oklahoma City was outscored 13-4 in a stretch that lasted from late in the third quarter to early in the fourth. In contrast, the Rockets got a huge boost from their bench en route to the victory.

But an incensed Westbrook waved off the reporter explaining himself and defending his question.

“It’s a legitimate question,” the reporter said.

“Next question, next question,” Westbrook responded.

Westbrook, who gets more touches per game than almost any other NBA player and often carries the Thunder on his back, finished with 35 points, 14 rebounds and 14 assists.

Westbrook had another poor shooting second half on Sunday, making only 5-of-17 from the floor in the final two quarters. In a game-two loss, he misfired on 14-of-18 shots in the fourth quarter.

Westbrook had a triple-double in the first half, making him just the second player in NBA history with 3 consecutive playoff triple-doubles. Wilt Chamberlain did it in four consecutive games in 1967.

Eric Gordon and Lou Williams scored 18 points each and Nene delivered a team-high 28 as the Rockets now have a chance to close out the series Tuesday at home.

Houston won despite an off night from superstar James Harden, who missed 7 3-point attempts in a row and shot only 5-of-16 overall from the floor.

Celtics level series with Bulls

Meanwhile, in Chicago, Isaiah Thomas scored 33 points as the Boston Celtics levelled their series with a Chicago Bulls with a 104-95 win.

The best-of-7 series resumes Wednesday with each team having two wins.

Gerald Green scored a playoff-career-high 18 points, and Al Horford finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds for the Celtics, who blew a 20-point lead but managed to bounce back.

Jae Crowder finished with 11 points for the Celtics.

Jimmy Butler had 33 points and 9 assists for the Bulls. – with reports from Agence France-Presse/Rappler.com

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