NBA: Westbrook nears NBA immortality – Manila Bulletin

Published April 3, 2017, 10:30 PM

By AFP

Los Angeles Russell Westbrook edged closer to NBA immortality with his 40th triple-double of the season on Sunday as LeBron James dug deep to help Cleveland clinch a double-overtime thriller against Indiana.

Oklahoma Citys Russell Westbrook posted 40 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists for his 40th triple-double in a losing effort against the Charlotte Hornets, 113-101, Sunday in Oklahoma City. (AP)

Westbrook scored 40 points, grabbed 13 rebounds and provided 10 assists as the Oklahoma City Thunder fell to a 113-101 home loss against the Charlotte Hornets.

The Thunder guard is now one triple-double away from tying Hall of Famer Oscar Robertsons single-season record of 41, set in 1961-62 for the Cincinnati Royals.

With six games left in the regular season, Westbrook can match the record when the Thunder host the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday.

Westbrook however was more focused on the Thunders defeat than the latest chapter in his remarkable season.

Asked for his thoughts about the possibility of tying Robertsons long-standing mark on Tuesday, Westbrook replied: We gotta win. Thats my thoughts.

We were just making bad mistakes, bad decisions, Westbrook said after a game that saw the Thunder hand over 24 turnovers. Starting with myself, we have to take better care of the ball.

Oklahoma City now lies in sixth place in the Western Conference standings at 43-33.

WARRIORS WIN

In the Western Conference, Stephen Curry scored 42 points as the leading Golden State Warriors moved to within three wins of clinching the best record in the league.

The Dubs thrashed the Washington Wizards 139-115 to improve to 63-14.

Curry broke the 40-point barrier for the fourth time this season while Draymond Green added a triple-double to guide the Warriors to their 11th consecutive victory.

The Warriors are now only three more wins to be certain of clinching the best record in the league heading into the postseason.

Golden State now stands at 63-14, leading the San Antonio Spurs (59-17) by three-and-a-half games with five remaining.

The Wizards, meanwhile, fell to 46-31, one behind Toronto as they battle for third place in the Eastern Conference.

In Cleveland, the Cavaliers looked to 2016 NBA Finals MVP James once again to secure a pulsating 135-130 win over the Pacers in double-overtime.

James finished with 41 points, 16 rebounds and 11 assists for his 11th triple-double of the season and the 53rd of his career in a crucial win for the Cavaliers.

Tags: Cavaliers, Charlotte Hornets, Indiana, Manila Bulletin, mb.com.ph, NBA: Westbrook nears NBA immortality, Russell Westbrook

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NBA: Westbrook nears NBA immortality - Manila Bulletin