NBA: Russell Westbrook stars for Oklahoma City Thunder
Last Updated: 27/01/15 11:06am
Russell Westbrook drove the lane for some huge field goals and Reggie Jackson was on fire from the charity stripe as the Oklahoma City Thunder easily beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 92-84 on Monday’s NBA action.
The Thunder cruised to the victory despite missing superstar forward Kevin Durant, who sat out with a sprained toe. Durant injured his left big toe in the fourth quarter of Sunday's contest against Cleveland.
This was the 24th game Durant has missed this season after not playing in just 16 contests over his first seven seasons.
Westbrook tallied 18 points and five assists and Serge Ibaka had 13 points and pulled down 19 rebounds as the Thunder won for the fourth time in their last six contests.
Thaddeus Young finished with 22 points and eight rebounds, Andrew Wiggins provided 23 points and Gorgui Dieng snatched 18 rebounds for Minnesota, which has dropped five consecutive games.
The Thunder led 21-19 late in the opening quarter before creating some breathing room following a 17-5 surge that stretched into the second. Anthony Morrow and Jackson jump-started the run with baskets and Oklahoma City led 25-19 after the first quarter.
Dion Waiters banked in a fadeaway jumper and then drained a three-pointer before finding Jackson on an alley-oop dunk to cap the run and give the Thunder a 38-24 cushion halfway through the second quarter.
Perry Jones' reverse layup at the first half buzzer gave the Thunder a 48-40 lead at halftime. Consecutive Young baskets finished off a 10-2 flurry to help Minnesota pull within 57-54 midway through the third quarter.
Oklahoma City answered by closing the third on an 8-2 run. Jackson sank three free throws to help extend the lead and give the Thunder a 65-56 margin after three. Minnesota never got closer than seven points in the final quarter.
In Los Angeles, Jamal Crawford scored 19 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter as the Clippers held off the Denver Nuggets 102-98 for their fifth straight victory.
Matt Barnes added 18 points for Los Angeles, and Blake Griffin had 14 points, nine rebounds and 10 assists. Ty Lawson led the Nuggets with 19 points and 11 assists.
The Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Orlando Magic 103-94 after Zach Randolph had 24 points, 10 rebounds and six assists, while Tayshaun Prince scored 19 points as the Boston Celtics held on for a 99-90 road win over the Utah Jazz.
NBA results
LA Clippers 102-98 Denver Nuggets
Memphis Grizzlies 103-94 Orlando Magic
New Orleans Pelicans 99-74 Philadelphia 76ers
Oklahoma City Thunder 92-84 Minnesota Timberwolves
Utah Jazz 90-99 Boston Celtics
