OKC Thunder dominate Suns via Westbrook career assist night
OKC Thunder returns to winning ways behind spectacular Westbrook performance.
Russell Westbrook is probably wishing the OKC Thunder played Phoenix more frequently given his performances in two games versus the Suns this season. In the first meeting, early this season Westbrook posted a triple-double highlighted by 51 points. That effort, while phenomenal may have been eclipsed today as Westbrook dished a career high 22 dimes.
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As TI’s Game Day Preview noted, it was expected Westbrook would be dialed in to get his OKC Thunder back in the win column. Not only did the OKC Thunder win, Westbrook produced another triple-double (his 13th this season and 50th of his career) in spectacular fashion. While his 22 assists were especially relevant, it was the jaw dropping variety in which he created them that had Thunder fans agog in amazement. He punctuated the career assist night with his final assist that sent social media into a tizzy:
Perhaps the most obvious signs the Suns had no energy on this day was the 10-0 fast break point advantage OKC held at the half. Phoenix rank second in this area, while the Thunder ranks fourth.
At the half the Thunder led 54-39 and never looked back. Although the Suns mounted a late comeback attempt drawing within 5 points the Thunder defense held them in check. Of all the OKC Thunder positives having their defense return to form was especially satisfying.
OKC Thunder dominate stats:
By game end the OKC Thunder led almost every stat category:
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Points: 114 – 101
Field Goal Percent: 50.6% vs 43.3%
Three Point Field Goal Percent: 43.8% vs 36.4%
Assists: 28 to 16
Rebounds: 53 to 52
Steals: 12 to 5
Turnovers: 13 to 16
Double Digit Scoring Efforts: 5 Thunder players versus 3 Suns
Suns Contributions:
For the Suns, Bledsoe began the contest strong despite taking an elbow to the face while he crowded Westbrook. But the Thunder defense relegated him ineffective in the second half. Sophomore Devin Booker (31 points) took over and was the lone bright spot for the Suns on an otherwise lackluster team effort. T.J. Warren who scored 30 points in the teams first meeting returned after a stay on the injury list, but his rust showed as he only registered 2 points.
OKC Thunder Standouts:
Aside from Westbrook’s dominance and league leading 13 triple-double, Steven Adams posted his sixth consecutive double digit effort scoring 19 points and added 7 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals. Andre Roberson provided solid defense and chipping in 11 points and equaled Westbrook with a team high plus +16 differential. Anthony Morrow did a serviceable job filling in for Victor Oladipo who remains out with a sprained wrist. Hopefully Dipo returns for the next outing versus the Atlanta Hawks, if for no other reason to make my cohort Tony Heim’s trip to OKC complete.
Ultimately the OKC Thunder move to 16-11 on the season and seemingly recognize their defense has to be the area of focus moving forward.
