One of the Most Valuable Players of Thunder is Russell Westbrook, his average score is recorded as 31.9 points, 10.6 rebounds and 10.4 assists per contest.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) gestures after scoring a 3-pointer during the second half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies Wednesday, April 5, 2017, in Memphis, Tenn.
Westbrook fell a rebound short of an historic triple-double, but scored 45 points, including the Thunder's final five points to lead Oklahoma City to a 103-100 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night (Thursday AEST).
The Thunder guard is now one triple-double away from tying Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson's single-season record of 41, set in 1961-62 for the Cincinnati Royals. Naturally, the crowd serenaded him with some MVP chants.
"It was a special night", Westbrook said.
A major portion for why the Thunder had so much offensive success was the play of Westbrook, their catalyst on both ends of the floor. Others have come close, including Robertson himself in a different slate. "We just want the swelling to go down", Memphis coach David Fizdale said. "I never dreamed about a moment like this, to be able to be on this stage".
The triple-double is the 78th of Westbrook's career, tying Wilt Chamberlain for fourth most all-time.
"Definitely, man", Westbrook said with a big smile. "It showed that he was sharing the ball, and everybody was benefiting from that".
Mauricio Pochettino: Seven points is "a massive difference"
Pochettino said: "We knew very well how hard Burnley have made it for other teams here, so I give a lot of credit to my team". Of course, Spurs still face a very uphill climb for the league title, but entering today there was not really any true hope.
All Westbrook needs to etch his name alongside Robertson as the only players to ever average a triple-double for an season, with at least 820 rebounds and assists, are 29 assists and 11 rebounds over the next six games.
Milwaukee had been one of the league's hottest teams.
Westbrook had 12 points, eight rebounds and eight assists at halftime to help Oklahoma City (44-33) take a 63-39 lead. We talked about the points already, but the most glaring stat is his two turnovers - the guy who averages 5.4 a game had just two while dishing out 13 dimes. "We got a lot of games left". "And you can feel that in the building and you could see that his team-mates were not going to let him down tonight". The Bucks, who shot a paltry 35.8 percent, including only 16.7 percent from deep, had no answer when the Thunder started pouring on points early in the second quarter.
The Bucks are 40-38 on the season with four games left to play.
Still, with or without Gibson the Thunder will look to check off a victory, help Russ continue his consecutive triple-double performances and lower his overall rebound and assist requirements. The Thunder improved to 32-9 this season when Westbrook gets a triple-double.
Abrines scored his on four 3-pointers, but had to leave the game in the second quarter with an apparent leg injury.
Antetokounmpo only scored three more points the rest of the night as Thunder guard Andre Roberson intensified his defense.
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