OKLAHOMA CITY -- Russell Westbrook taught rookie Michael Carter-Williams a swift and thorough lesson.
Larry Doby Indians Jersey . Westbrook had a triple-double in 21 minutes to win the matchup of talented point guards and help
the Oklahoma City Thunder defeat the woeful Philadelphia 76ers 125-92 on Tuesday
night. The three-time All Star finished with 13 points, 10 rebounds and 14
assists after blowing past Carter-Williams at will. Westbrook wrapped up his
eighth career triple-double on a rebound with 4:55 left in the third quarter and
left the game for good moments later. The last NBA player to get a triple-double
in fewer minutes was Jim Tucker in 1955, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
"He made everybody better tonight," said teammate Kevin Durant, who led the
Thunder with 42 points. "He was moving the basketball, he was aggressive to the
rim. I think thats why everybody got open, because of his aggressiveness. He
just set the tone for us." Westbrook also offered verbal instruction after his
pupil decided to talk trash during the third quarter. Turns out, Westbrook is
pretty good at that, too. "I like it," he said of Carter-Williams talking. "Its
good because thats how I play anyway. I compete, and thats what I like to do. He
wants to compete as well." James Anderson scored 20 for the 76ers, who lost
their 15th in a row, their longest slide since a 15-game skid in 1994.
Philadelphia shot just 34 per cent. Carter-Williams, among the favourites to win
the Rookie of the Year award, finished with 14 points on 4-for-12 shooting.
Philadelphia coach Brett Brown wasnt amused by Carter-Williams talking. "Its
always wise to go about your business without instigating an All-Star," Brown
said. "I dont mind Michael being competitive, but how you go about that is
always a challenge, and again, a learning curve." Serge Ibaka and Reggie Jackson
each scored 14 points and Perry Jones added 12 for the Thunder, who shot 57 per
cent from the field in their most lopsided victory of the season. Westbrook had
eight assists in the first 6:34 to help the Thunder take a 24-15 lead. "I never
go in looking to shoot first, pass first, rebound first," he said. "I just come
in and play off instincts." Westbrook got his 10th assist on a long bounce pass
to Durant with 4:55 left in the second quarter. Westbrook finished the first
half with 11 assists, a Thunder record for a half. He didnt score until he made
a layup with 1:50 left in the first half. His second basket was a 29-foot
3-pointer. "Hes just physically so gifted and hes so competitive," Brown said.
"Theres a -- and I say this respectfully -- hes an angry competitor that wills
his way into doing stuff. I say that with the utmost respect. You saw those
physical abilities along with just such a strong mind. Its a powerful
combination." Durant, who made 14 of 20 shots from the floor, did not play in
the fourth quarter as the Thunder won their third straight. Caron Butler, the
Thunders recent acquisition, entered for the first time as a member of the team
with 5:26 left in the first quarter and received a loud standing ovation. He
made his first basket, a jumper, with 2:18 left in the opening period. Durant
scored 21 points in the first half on 8-for-11 shooting to help the Thunder take
a 61-45 lead at the break. The 76ers made 3-pointers on three consecutive trips
down the floor -- the first two by Byron Mullins and the third by Anderson -- to
cut what had been a 22-point deficit to 15 midway through the third quarter. The
Thunder bounced back and led 98-76 at the end of the period. Durant scored 21 of
Oklahoma Citys 37 points in the quarter. The crowd cheered loudly when Oklahoma
Citys 7-foot-3 centre, Hasheem Thabeet, stepped out of his usual element and
drained a 17-foot jumper that put the Thunder up 110-79 with 7:33 to go. It was
a complete win for Oklahoma City. "I thought defensively, we were really good
throughout the game," coach Scott Brooks said. "We were active, we were in
passing lanes, we were contesting shots, and we did a great job with rebounding
and passing." NOTES: Jones and C Steven Adams started for the Thunder in place
of injured G Thabo Sefolosha and C Kendrick Perkins. ... The 76ers have allowed
at least 100 points in 14 of the 15 losses during their skid. All but three of
the defeats have been by double digits. ... Thunder G Jeremy Lamb made a layup
at the first-quarter buzzer after catching a pass from Durant that travelled
most of the length of the court. ... The Thunder shot 70 per cent in the first
quarter to take a 37-23 lead. ... Brown was issued a technical foul with 5:30
left in the second quarter.
Joey Rickard Orioles Jersey . The Detroit Tigers slugger fell short in his bid to become the first player to win the
Triple Crown in successive seasons.
Drew Storen Blue Jays Jersey . In five games last month, Billings led all scorers with 11 goals, 27 assists and 38 points as
the Rock posted a 2-3 record.STORRS, Conn. - National champion UConn is losing
one junior star to the NBA draft, while another has announced he is staying with
the Huskies. The school announced Friday that forward DeAndre Daniels has filed
the necessary paperwork with the NBA and will forgo his senior season of
eligibility. The school says guard Ryan Boatright will return next season.
Daniels says he discussed thhe decision with his family and they all agreed it
was time to turn pro.
Russell Wilson Rangers Jersey. "To go out on top like we did makes it even better," the 6-foot-9 junior said in a statement.
Daniels averaged 13.1 points and 6.0 rebounds, but 16.0 points and 7.2 rebounds
during the Huskies NCAA tournament run. Boatright averaged 12.1 points, 3.5
rebounds and 3.4 assists.
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