Westbrook triple-double lifts Thunder over Spurs

LOS ANGELES, USA – Russell Westbrook notched his 19th triple-double of the NBA season and the Oklahoma City reserves contributed 50 points Saturday, March 10, as the Thunder beat the reeling San Antonio Spurs 104-94.

Westbrook scored 21 points and added 12 rebounds and 10 assists as the Thunder improved to 6-3 since the All-Star break.

Russell Westbrook (21 PTS, 12 REB, 10 AST) notched his 19th triple-double of the season to fuel the @okcthunder win at home! #ThunderUp pic.twitter.com/fI6iX6jw6R

— NBA (@NBA) March 11, 2018

The Thunder held Spurs star LaMarcus Aldridge to 11 points on a 5-of-16 shooting as San Antonio lost for the 8th time in 10 games.

The Spurs, who have slipped to 7th in the Western Conference, are now assured of having a losing road record for the first time in 21 seasons.

Their chances of extending their NBA record streak of 20 straight playoff appearances also appear to be dwindling, although San Antonio could be bolstered next week by the return of Kawhi Leonard from a 20-game injury absence.

The Thunder jumped to 5th in the West, but will be concerned after Steven Adams sprained his left ankle when he came down hard early in the 3rd quarter.

The Miami Heat moved within half a game of the 6th-placed Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference with a convincing 129-102 victory over the Washington Wizards.

James Johnson scored 20 points to lead 8 Heat players in double figures.

FINAL: The Miami Heat (36-31) beat the Washington Wizards 129-101!

James Johnson: 20 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists
Wayne Ellington: 17 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists
Kelly Olynyk: 13 points, 11 rebounds, 2 blocks pic.twitter.com/EwejcnI345

— Heat Nation (@HeatNationCom) March 11, 2018

Up 60-48 at halftime, the Heat outscored the weary Wizards 43-28 in the 3rd quarter and cruised home despite the absence of center Hassan Whiteside, who was a late scratch with a sore left hip.

“We were doing shootaround and I felt something,” Whiteside said. “I strained my hip flexor.”

The Heat also saw veteran Dwyane Wade depart in the 4th quarter with a strained hamstring, but that proved no obstacle as the team avenged an overtime loss to the Wizards in Washington on Tuesday, March 6.

“Our energy was great, both ends of the court,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “Right from the beginning, it looked like we were the more aggressive, faster, quicker team.

“And they’re coming off a back to back and they had to travel from New Orleans. That was part of what we wanted to do. But again, our depth and multiple guys being able to contribute, that’s the strength of our team.” – Rappler.com