NBA: Westbrook’s triple-double leads Thunder over Heat
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook, right, drives to the basket around Miami Heat forward Chris Andersen (11) during the third quarter of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Sunday, March 22, 2015. AP
OKLAHOMA CITY, United States – Oklahoma City star guard Russell Westbrook’s 10th triple-double of the NBA season powered the Thunder to a 93-75 romp over visiting Miami on Sunday for its third consecutive win.
NBA scoring leader Westbrook only managed 12 points on 5-of-16 shooting. But he matched a career-high with 17 assists and grabbed 10 rebounds as the Thunder improved to 40-30, moving three games ahead of New Orleans for the eighth and final Western Conference playoff berth.
Still missing injured 2014 NBA Most Valuable Player Kevin Durant, the Thunder were led by 27 points from Enes Kanter.
Balanced attack
Mitch McGary scored 14 points while Anthony Morrow added 12 and Dion Waiters and Steven Adams each contributed 10.
“It was a balanced attack on both ends of the floor,” Thunder coach Scott Brooks said.
The Heat fell to 32-37, seventh in the Eastern Conference but only two games ahead of ninth-place Indiana in the fight for the final playoff positions in the East.
Miami’s three-game win streak was halted. The Heat shot only 39.5 percent for the game and trailed for the final three quarters.
Hassan Whiteside scored 13 points to lead Miami while Dwyane Wade, Goran Dragic and Mario Chalmers each added 12.
The Thunder pulled away in the fourth quarter, stretching a 66-60 edge with a 27-11 run for the biggest margin of the game at 93-71.
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