Five In A Row: Thunder Sneak Past Rockets As Westbrook Triple-Double's Again

<p>Russell Westbrook recorded his third straight triple-double to lead the Thunder to&nbsp;a 111-107 win over James Harden and the Rockets. OKC has now won five straight games.&nbsp;</p>

Tuesday, March 22nd 2016, 11:26 pm

By: Brett Coppenbarger


It’s not rare to see a fired up Thunder team when the boys have the task of playing against former comrade James Harden, and Tuesday night’s 111-107 win over the Rockets was no exception.   

Related: Thunder Social Scene

With 11 seconds left in the game, Harden dribbled the ball at the top of the key with a chance to tie the game with a field goal. Instead of attempting to even the score himself with a drive to the basket, Harden opted to try a lob pass to teammate Dwight Howard in the post. The OKC defense collapsed towards the leather once the ball left Harden’s hands, and Dion Waiters was able to deflect the errant pass into the hands of Russell Westbrook, who was fouled before icing OKC’s fifth straight win at the free throw line.  

Not only does the victory mark five in a row for the Thunder, but Westbrook notched his third straight triple-double with 21 points, 15 assists and 13 rebounds. Not only was Westbrook’s stat line tremendous, but his play down the stretch was as well.

With OKC trailing 99-97, it was Westbrook who provided the needed energy down the stretch to pull out the win. Off an inbounds play, Westbrook found a cutting Steven Adams who dunked it home to tie the game, and then after a Westbrook steal on the other end, the point guard sprinted down the court and ferociously slammed home the jam to put the Thunder up two points while lifting the lid off of Chesapeake Energy Arena.

If those two plays weren’t enough, Westbrook wasn’t done putting in work. After another empty possession for Houston, OKC’s leader decided it was time to take care of some unfinished business. With his foe Patrick Beverley guarding him, Westbrook was thirsting for a chance to embarrass the feisty Houston point guard. Westbrook drove and popped a shot over Beverley from the elbow that swished through the basket which led to Westbrook’s signature snarl.

Kevin Durant also had a couple clutch buckets down the stretch as well, as he totaled 23 points and seven rebounds. Waiters had a great game off the bench with 17 points, while Serge Ibaka added 15 points and eight rebounds. Enes Kanter continued his great play with 10 points and 10 rebounds in only 22 minutes.

Despite his late turnover, Harden had a very good game in his old arena, finishing with 24 points, a career high 16 assists and seven rebounds. Beverley and Howard each scored 16 points for Houston.

The Thunder will continue its home stand on Thursday when the Jazz come to OKC. 

Not only does the victory mark five in a row for the Thunder, but Westbrook notched his third straight triple-double with 21 points, 15 assists and 13 rebounds. Not only was Westbrook’s stat line tremendous, but his play down the stretch was as well.

Russell Westbrook has his 3rd straight triple-double. It's his 3rd
streak of at least 3 triple-doubles in his career.

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) March 23, 2016

Russell Westbrook has his 5th triple-double with 15 assists this season.The rest of the NBA? Four triple-doubles with 15 assists this season

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) March 23, 2016

With OKC trailing 99-97, it was Westbrook who provided the needed energy down the stretch to pull out the win. Off an inbounds play, Westbrook found a cutting Steven Adams who dunked it home to tie the game, and then after a Westbrook steal on the other end, the point guard sprinted down the court and ferociously slammed home the jam to put the Thunder up two points while lifting the lid off of Chesapeake Energy Arena.

If those two plays weren’t enough, Westbrook wasn’t done putting in work. After another empty possession for Houston, OKC’s leader decided it was time to take care of some unfinished business. With his foe Patrick Beverley guarding him, Westbrook was thirsting for a chance to embarrass the feisty Houston point guard. Westbrook drove and popped a shot over Beverley from the elbow that swished through the basket which led to Westbrook’s signature snarl.

Kevin Durant also had a couple clutch buckets down the stretch as well, as he totaled 23 points and seven rebounds. Waiters had a great game off the bench with 17 points, while Serge Ibaka added 15 points and eight rebounds. Enes Kanter continued his great play with 10 points and 10 rebounds in only 22 minutes.

Despite his late turnover, Harden had a very good game in his old arena, finishing with 24 points, a career high 16 assists and seven rebounds. Beverley and Howard each scored 16 points for Houston.

The Thunder will continue its home stand on Thursday when the Jazz come to OKC. 

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Russell Westbrook recorded his third straight triple-double to lead the Thunder to a 111-107 win over James Harden and the Rockets. OKC has now won five straight games. 

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