Rockets overcome Westbrook’s 51, take 2-0 lead over Thunder

Westbrook scored the most points ever in a playoff triple-double against the Rockets, finishing with 51 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds.

The entire Russell Westbrook experience was on display during the Thunder’s Game 2 loss to the Rockets on Wednesday. While not a blowout like game one, game two was instead a meltdown for Oklahoma City.

The Golden State Warriors are in a commanding position in the National Basketball Association playoffs, and so are the Houston Rockets and the Washington Wizards. This makes two consecutive playoff games where Westbrook scored a triple-double.

Andre Roberson added a tip-in layup for the Thunder before two free throws by Westbrook tied it at 104-all with about 3 minutes left.

“I trust my teammates all the time, regardless of what’s going on I’m always trusting my guys”, Westbrook said after the loss. I know James Harden had a good look to win the game and missed it but this guy just doesn’t ever seem to be anxious about anything. “That’s what I’m trying to do”.

The Rockets are getting plenty from James Harden, who is averaging 31 points, 8.5 assists and 5.5 rebounds but is doing it much more efficiently than Westbrook, shooting 20 of 45 from the floor. Referees in the playoffs usually don’t bail players out with calls, and Williams only got to the line once; he was just hitting his shots, which made all the difference. “He had an unreal game – I don’t even know how many he had – but we’ve got to step up for him”. I shot it with confidence. Okay maybe school got in the way a little bit too.

Atlanta will host game three on Saturday.

“It was huge for us”, Harden said of the third-quarter run. If they don’t do that, they’re going to get beat. “He played an exceptional game”.

Curry went 6 for 18 and also had six assists and six rebounds.

Houston closed the gap throughout the final period.

Gordon then delivered the decisive blow with 1:48 left, drilling a 28-footer off a Harden pass to extend the lead to eight.

Harden scored 18 of his 35 points in Game 2 from the free-throw line.

Rockets: Harden had five assists and four turnovers in the first quarter.

The general hatred between both teams was not enough to fuel Oklahoma City to the win as they fell apart in the fourth quarter only scoring thirteen points to Houston’s twenty-nine. Williams finished with 21 points and Gordon finished with 22.

Of particular importance was a 90-second stretch at the end of the third quarter in which the Rockets went on a 12-3 run to cut OKC’s 12-point lead to three with Westbrook on the bench.

The competitive nature of Game 2 suggests that the next two games in Oklahoma City may not be easy for the higher-seeded Rockets.

Westbrook finished the game with a 51-point triple-double, bringing down 10 rebounds, and dishing out 13 assists, but nearly all his damage was done before leaving the game in the third quarter. The Thunder are 5-2 in his career when he gets a playoff triple-double.

Westbrook, on his so-called supporting cast: “We’re all one team”. Are there some shots and better ball movement we could have? The teams will meet again in Oklahoma City, on Sunday, April 23.