Three takeaways after OKC Thunder pound the Utah Jazz 122-113

Affecting the game in other ways

Two of Russell Westbrook’s greatest qualities are his unquestioned leadership and his ability to affect the game when his shot isn’t falling.

If there ever was a clear example of this then tonight is the night.

The Brodie achieved his 109th triple-double of his career, posting 12 points, 11 rebounds,10 assists in 36 minutes of action. The downside was Russ shot 4-18 from the field, 0-5 from three, 4-8 from the line and was clearly frustrated by his individual performance.

Despite a rough outing, Russ made two beautiful passes on the move.

Coming off a screen from Adams in the high pick and roll, Russ see’s Jerami Grant along the baseline and hits him for the alley-oop dunk.

This play was arguably the play of the night. After forcing a turnover, Schroder pushes the ball on the break and gives it to Russ who spots Adams rolling to the rim. Westbrook fakes to the German and delivers a beautiful bounce pass to the big Kiwi for the easy two handed dunk.

Russ has struggled shooting the rock in his last five games averaging a poor 39.4 percent from the field, 25.8 percent from three and 61.5 percent from the line. Despite this, Oklahoma City continue to win and Thunder fans need not worry about the Brodie’s current shooting slump because PG has his back.