Westbrook’s triple-double leads Thunder past 76ers 102-85

Thunder is believed to be preparing for Kevin Durant’s looming free agency in 2016, so it makes sense that OKC could send a few of their players to save all the money they can for retaining their prized player.

“Whenever I rebound and start the break it’s better for our team”, Westbrook said.

The Oklahoma City Thunder are again finding their rhythm winning back-to-back but will play a number of games without star forward Kevin Durant who sustained a left hamstring strain in their 125-101 victory over the Washington Wizards.

Before his latest injury, the 27-year-old player only participated in 27 games last season, after having three surgeries to fix a Jones fracture in his right foot. Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook produced his second triple-double of the season with 21 points, a career-high 17 rebounds and 11 assists.

“It let me sleep about 40 seconds more”, Brown said.

In Morrow’s previous five games he played a total of 30 minutes, 14 of which came in a blowout win against Washington (Durant also got hurt in this game).

Westbrook now has three triple-doubles in his past four games against the 76ers.

The 76ers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 vs. National Basketball Association Northwest and 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games overall.

“I mean, I can walk”, he said. Instead, the Thunder concentrated on stopping Sixers rookie Jahlil Okafor at the other end, forcing him to miss 15 of his 18 shots and score only six points, well below his 20.6 a game.

“We don’t defend”, Wittman added.

As great as his final stats were, Westbrook struggled to get in a rhythm early, shooting 2-for-10 in the first half while the Thunder only led 48-43 at intermission. On consecutive possessions in that period, Westbrook threw down a soaring, one-handed dunk, then moments later hit a 3-pointer and wagged three fingers before pounding his chest.

Westbrook said it was something he had been working on. We know how hard he’s gonna go out there and play. Oklahoma City increased that number Friday by scoring 24 points on the fast break.

Asked whether he heard the fans booing, Durant laughed.

The issue won’t be Durant’s missed time. The coach was thinking of using Waiters, but he’s been dealing with an upset stomach. “I was always taught, no matter what, if I’m on the court, I’m all right”. Davis is averaging 24 points and nine rebounds this season.

The Wizards were without their leading scorer, shooting guard Bradley Beal, because of a sore left shoulder, and reserve forward Nene sat out with back spasms. Russell Westbrook is averaging 25.8 points and 10.9 assists while Serge Ibaka is averaging 13.5 points and 8.1 rebounds.

Wood’s 15 points were a season high for the rookie from UNLV.