Thunder struggle shooting, but still win 5th straight

Westbrook also has a long history of stonewalling reporters.

Denver Nuggets guard Gary Harris, center, is trapped with the ball by, from left, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook, center Steven Adams, of New Zealand, and guard Andre Roberson in the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2016, in Denver.

Kevin Durant led the Thunder with 21 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds, and Timberwolves coach Sam Mitchell said his young team could learn a lot from the ruthlessly efficient Thunder. He bounced back from being ejected Wednesday against Dallas following two skirmishes with J.J. Barea.

Kanter had two of his four offensive rebounds in the fourth.

Thunder G Dion Waiters is averaging 19 points in the last two games after totaling 13 points in the previous three contests. Overall, the Thunder didn’t do much better. When I disagree, that doesn’t mean that I hate you guys, so … my whole deal is to spark a conversation and hopefully we can talk about the topic, or whatever it is at hand we can talk about, and we all can grow from it. That’s my whole deal. Kenneth Faried added 17 points and 15 rebounds. “Every time we play them, he just bullies his way to the basket”.

NOTES: Oklahoma City F Kevin Durant said perception that he has something against the media is wrong.

Durant shot 11 of 25 in that game for 30 points, three assists and seven rebounds. Westbrook had a career-high four consecutive triple-doubles from February 24-March 4, 2015. For instance, the Nuggets got out to a 15-6 start in the third quarter.

“Enes did a really good job tonight”, Donovan said. Oklahoma City has been succeeding on the court lately to say the least. Charlotte last defeated the Thunder in March 2010 and recorded its most recent road win in the series in Seattle on March 28, 2008. I wouldn’t talk with them about anything other than what you guys ask me.

Grammy Award-wining rapper 50 Cent and former heavyweight boxing champion Evander Holyfield were in the crowd. Holyfield was included on the Flex Cam, and he offered a biceps pose.

TIMBERWOLVES 117, SUNS 87: Ricky Rubio and Andrew Wiggins scored 18 points each and host Minnesota snapped a nine-game losing streak with a over Phoenix.

In the fourth quarter, he did it again. He played more than 20 minutes for just the third time this season. Mudiay matched Westbrook’s 4 assists in the quarter, and helped his Nuggets keep up with a 26-point quarter. The Wolves made 16 of 34 the rest of the half….

Middleton meanwhile attributed his performance to the strength of the Bucks defense, which restricted Miami to 36.5 percent shooting from the floor.