OKC Thunder series matchup: Brewing rivalry of Russell Westbrook and Damian Lillard
By Shade Piper
NBA fans will be spoiled in this first round matchup getting to see two top five point guards go at it every night. Westbrook averaged a triple-double for the third straight season and Lillard just finished his fourth straight season averaging 25 plus points per game while leading his team to a second straight three seed in the playoffs.
Westbrook continues to put his name in the record books amongst the greats. Westbrook tied Magic Johnson for the second most triple-doubles of all time in the last regular season game and even more incredible to me he completed a 20-20-20 triple-double and dedicated it to the late Nipsey Hussle.
This had previously only been accomplished one other time in NBA history by Wilt Chamberlin. On top of his historic accomplishments, he is putting together another pretty good statistical season averaging 22.9 points, 11.1 rebounds, and a league leading 10.7 assists per game.
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Damian Lillard is having a pretty good season himself averaging 25.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 6.9 assists per game while leading his squad to the third seed in the Western Conference.
The two have matched up 23 times in their careers with Westbrook besting Lillard 12 wins to 11. In the series Westbrook averaged 30.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and 8.0 assists and Lillard has averaged 24.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 6.9 assists. This has been a pretty evenly matched rivalry. Let’s look at what the keys will be for Westbrook to best Lillard in this playoff series.