Russell Westbrook didn’t create the kind of history OKC Thunder fans were anxiously awaiting, but he lifted the team to a necessary victory.
It wasn’t pretty, it was never going to be. The Grizzlies and OKC Thunder aren’t blowing up score boards on a nightly basis by any means. They win games by grinding them out and executing the game plan. Defense. These two top ten teams in terms of defensive rating are at their best defensively when they erode the opposing offense away until there’s no time or room to make anything happen.
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OKC Thunder, however has the League’s leading scorer in Russell Westbrook on its side. He throws defensive game plans out of sync with every dribble he takes. Triple double 42 was the leading headline for tonight’s game, but quickly Westbrook’s competitive drive made sure that the main task stayed focused on winning.
All season long Westbrook has maintained winning holds much more precedence over the triple doubles. He’s had 41 of those during the season – the team is 32-9 when he gets one. Winning. That’s what Russell is about, his play does nothing but validate that. History be damned, Russell wanted to win.
First Half:
Facing a conference opponent jockeying for the same playoff positioning as them, the Thunder had a chance to further plant themselves in the 6th seed. In the first half, the OKC Thunder looked to push the pace at every turn. With 23 fast break points in the first half, OKC grabbed rebounds and got up the court with intentions to score. Steven Adams, pitched in a game-leading 9 rebounds in the first half. Victor Oladipo, 11 points in the first half, again showed some assertiveness and found teammates for easy open baskets in the first half with five assists.
Clearly, the triple-double was in play, Westbrook was looking to pass as well. Over and over he would sling a pass to an open teammate and the ball would fail to meet the nylon.
Across the court Marc Gasol was showcasing his array of skill. From distance and from inside Gasol gave the Thunder front line all it could handle.
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Second Half:
The second half changed as both teams decided it wasn’t a priority to come up with offense. The game slowed as the OKC Thunder found it difficult to keep Memphis off the free throw line. Ten attempts in the quarter against one for Oklahoma City, proved to be a difference maker in the frame. Soon, the Grizzlies got going and the OKC Thunder continued to search for answers on offense. Westbrook had those answers. Responsible for 15 of the team’s 22 points in the third frame, Russell had his sights on winning. His teammates, however were finding it difficult to pitch in with only three non-Westbrook makes in the quarter.
Also apparent was the Grizzlies defensive plan to force Westbrook into long range shots (about the only susceptible area of his game). Yet, Westbrook answered the call and found his groove connecting on 4 of 5 from behind the arc in the half (8 of 13 in total). After a ball screen from Adams or just pulling up, he couldn’t be stopped. On the other hand, Memphis balanced it’s attack more as it cancelled out the offensive show from Russell.
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Anyone who has watched Westbrook knows one thing: he’s going to keep coming. No matter the score or the opponent. The job isn’t complete until someone’s won – preferably his team.
For Memphis, Zach Randolph decided he would be the one to challenge the OKC Thunder. He nearly succeeded. After a shrewd move by Billy Donovan to sit the inexperienced and overwhelmed Domantas Sabonis and inserting veteran Nick Collison, Randolph adjusted. Shot after shot, Randolph was carrying his team.
Westbrook Closing Time:
Westbrook refused to go down without a fight. He attempted 8 threes in the final quarter and hit four of them. With the OKC Thunder up one with 17 seconds, as he’s done so many times this season, Russell took the deciding shot for the Thunder. A contested three-pointer over Tony Allen. Swish.
45 points 10 assist and 9 rebounds. Only one rebound short of history, but he earned the most important stat. The Thunder’s 45th win on the season ensuring the OKC Thunder will finish no lower then the sixth seed.