Russell Westbrook smashed a completely unnecessary dunk all over Clint Capela

Wednesday night Harden and the Rockets visited Oklahoma City, with the Thunder boasting another highly productive guard in Russell Westbrook.

“I think there’d be a small group of guys that he would get on a plane and come and do anything for like that”, Rivers said.

When compared to his teammates, the touches and time of possession numbers really drive home just how much Harden dominates play for Houston.

It was one of those moments when majesty – a play that nearly no one else could pull off even on a seven-foot rim – overrides what the basketball textbook says. Victor Oladipo had season highs of 29 points and 10 rebounds for the Thunder, who snapped a four-game losing streak.

“Just happy it’s not me”, he said. But it was a special kind of poster: It came with five seconds left and the Thunder up by only three points. The same could be said for the Thunder’s performance. Oladipo’s worst shooting night as a member of the Thunder preceded his best.

I’m so appreciative of the fact that the people of Oklahoma have been so supportive of welcoming my family and I. However, I feel there’s always room to grow.

Westbrook is one of the faces of the Jordan Brand, and the six-time NBA champion said he sees “a lot of resemblance in his passion for the game of basketball in the way I play the game of basketball”, when comparing himself to the Thunder guard, per Young. Westbrook curled off a screen and took the inbound pass, and like Abrines, went to the rim.

“We were playing too slow”, he said. But they need him to be key to their offense and especially their defense. The Thunder had lost four straight after a 6-1 start, including back-to-back losses against lesser opponents in the Magic and Pistons. Coach Billy Donovan said lack of practice time has affected some of Oklahoma City’s recent play. The Thunder shot 47.6% and 48% from beyond the arc. Westbrook’s athleticism and skill is matched by few. A putback by Enes Kanter with 1:35 left in the third quarter tied the game at 80. Harden posted his now-standard 13 assists but struggled to 13 inefficient points (4-of-16 FG) and six turnovers. That is only 38 more points than Ibaka’s career high from Sunday. Jeff Green, another former Thunder player, scored 11 points. The Oklahoma City Thunder superstar expends all possible energy on every play (at the offensive end, at least), regularly taking on multiple defenders with no apparent consideration of what constitutes a sensible play.

Since Archibald last did it in 1972-73, no player has scored or assisted on 50 points per game. The 66 points were the most the Raptors have given up in a first half at home since surrendering 71 to the Los Angeles Clippers on January 25, 2014.