Spurs Fall, Rockets Roll

Westbrook’s triple-double leads Thunder past depleted Spurs

By CLIFF BRUNT

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Russell Westbrook had his seventh triple-double of the season to help the Oklahoma City Thunder defeat the short-handed San Antonio Spurs 90-87 on Sunday night.

Westbrook had 22 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for the Thunder, who won their second straight.

Steven Adams added 19 points and 10 rebounds for Oklahoma City, which won even though No. 2 scorer Paul George had just eight points on 2-for-17 shooting.

Dejounte Murray had 17 points and Derrick White added 16 for San Antonio. With a chance to tie it at the end, Brandon Paul missed a 3-pointer and the Thunder rebounded.

Spurs starters LaMarcus Aldridge and Tony Parker sat out. San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said Aldridge rested with a minor knee issue and Parker was “dinged-up.” The Spurs still are waiting for forward Kawhi Leonard’s right quadriceps injury to heal.

San Antonio’s Kyle Anderson sprained his left knee with a minute remaining in the third quarter and did not return.

Jerami Grant’s 3-pointer as time expired in the first half gave the Thunder a 54-43 advantage. Adams had 17 points on 7-for-10 shooting and Oklahoma City led even though George went scoreless and Carmelo Anthony managed just three points.

San Antonio rallied in the third quarter and cut Oklahoma City’s lead to 76-73 at the end of the period.

Westbrook clinched his triple-double on an assist to George for a 3-pointer that gave the Thunder an 87-79 lead. George had made just one of 14 shots before connecting with 4:13 remaining.

TIP-INS

Spurs: Popovich said reserve forward Rudy Gay was “dinged-up,” so he did not play. … Paul made his first NBA start and was issued a technical foul in the second quarter.

Thunder: G Alex Abrines, who is healthy but did not play the previous two games, scored five points in 15:22. … Westbrook had seven points, six assists and five rebounds in the first quarter. … Westbrook shot 2 of 6 on free throws.

 

Rockets roll to 7th straight with 118-95 win over Lakers

LOS ANGELES (AP) _ James Harden scored 36 points, Eric Gordon added 22 and the
streaking Houston Rockets beat the Los Angeles Lakers 118-95 on Sunday night for
their seventh consecutive victory.

Chris Paul had 21 points for Houston, which has won six straight road games and
13 of 14 overall. Harden handed out nine assists.

Kyle Kuzma led Los Angeles with 22 points, and Brandon Ingram added 18.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope had 16 and Larry Nance Jr. scored 15 for the Lakers,
who lost their fifth game in a row.

Rookie point guard Lonzo Ball struggled again, missing all four shots from the
field and finishing with two points and three assists.

The Rockets forced 21 turnovers and converted them into 27 points.

Houston first took control in the second quarter, outscoring the Lakers 34-19
as Los Angeles shot 31.9 percent in the period. Harden almost outscored Los
Angeles by himself, putting up 16 points in the quarter.

The Lakers made a run at the Rockets to start the second half, going on a 21-9
spurt to pull within three. Houston scored the next nine points and Los Angeles
never seriously threatened again.

TIP-INS

Rockets: Have made an NBA-high 340 3-pointers, 50 more than second-place Golden
State. Houston coach Mike D’Antoni said he wouldn’t be upset if a Rockets player
was by himself on a fast break and pulled up for a 3. “No, not if he made it.
I’d say, `Good shot.’ Nah, players wouldn’t do that. It would be crazy,”
D’Antoni said. . F Ryan Anderson played only 12 minutes due to back tightness.

Lakers: Ball had a slight limp after Saturday’s game in Denver, the result of
left calf tightness. He participated in the morning shootaround and was cleared
to play Sunday night. In his first 20 NBA games, Ball is averaging 9.0 points,
7.1 assists and 7.1 rebounds while shooting 31.8 percent.

UP NEXT

Rockets: Play the second of three consecutive road games Thursday in Utah. Have
lost four of the past six to the Jazz.

Lakers: Open a four-game road trip in Philadelphia on Thursday. The 76ers won
the first meeting 115-109 three weeks ago.

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