Westbrook has triple-double, leads OKC comeback for OT win

The Thunder may be on a back-to-back with travel between, but the Pistons are on the same – and they’re coming off a far tougher game than one against the Nuggets.

The Thunder have another opportunity Saturday, this time to exact some revenge on the Detroit Pistons, who previously beat up on OKC.

Westbrook went off for 36 points, 12 rebounds and 18 assists in OKC’s 12-129 overtime win over the Denver Nuggets.

The Thunder point guard went for 19 points and four assists in the fourth quarter, alone. David Lee had 15 points and 12 rebounds as the Spurs reserves outscored their starters 56-53. Payne can run pick-and-roll with center Enes Kanter, drive to the lane and kick the ball out to shooters Anthony Morrow and Alex Abrines, and can shoot from behind the arc. The Thunder was 1-1 against the Knicks previous year, with the away team winning both matchups. When the Thunder and Pistons meet in Oklahoma City, Drummond will be in the lineup with his 14.9 points, 14 rebounds, 1.2 blocks and 1.5 steals. Semaj Christon (concussion) and Cameron Payne (foot) are still out.

Since turning 28 on November 12, Westbrook is averaging 32.7 points, 11.0 rebounds and 12.9 assists, numbers comparable to those Oscar Robertson put up for an entire season in 1961-62 (30.8, 12.5 and 11.4). He would be the only Nuggets player to score in double digits. This game’s over/under comes in at a combined 205 points.

Brooklyn led by a point with less than 3 minutes to play in the first quarter when in regained the lead for good with a 6-0 run. Al Horford had 12 points and 10 rebounds in his second home game since signing a four-year, $113-million contract with Boston this summer. For yet another game, the Thunder defense struggled to keep dribblers outside the middle of the floor, where the Nuggets did most of their damage. The Utah Jazz started out strong and dominated the scoring to outlast the Nuggets. Danilo Gallinari (right thigh), Juancho Hernangomez (right ankle sprain) and Gary Harris were all out.

Apply more pressure on defense. Wonderful what happens when your best player and leader gives 100% on both ends.

With the game in the balance, Chandler was able to get the best of both Victor Oladipo and Russell Westbrook for a clutch dunk.

And Russell Westbrook is likely to wind up the king of them all.

PG – Emmanuel Mudiay / SG – Will Barton / SF – Wilson Chandler / PF – Kenneth Faried / C – Jusuf Nurkic. He needs just three more to pass Larry Bird for third all-time, at age 28.

One of those is Oklahoma City’s inability to defend the 3-point line with any tenacity.