Westbrook Leads Thunder Past Pacers

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Published on October 26 2017 6:17 am
Last Updated on October 26 2017 6:17 am

By ESPN

Paul George scored just 10 points against his former team, and it was the kind of game he had longed for.

Russell Westbrook's triple-double picked up the slack and helped the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Indiana Pacers 114-96 on Wednesday night.

The Pacers traded George to Oklahoma City after it became public knowledge that he didn't plan on staying with the team long-term. George, a four-time All-Star while he was with the Pacers, savored being able to have an off night while his team still won comfortably. Westbrook finished with 28 points, 16 assists and 10 rebounds and Carmelo Anthony had 28 points and 10 rebounds for the Thunder to take the pressure off George.

"That hasn't happened often in my career," George said. "Fortunate to have those guys carry me. They know how big this game was for me, and they went out and got it for me."

George rarely fouls out, but he committed his sixth with 6:15 remaining after playing just 19 minutes.

"It's a coincidence, right?" George said. "I don't know what was the cause. It was an agenda tonight."

Steven Adams added 17 points and 11 rebounds for the Thunder, who snapped a two-game skid.

Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis, who were sent from Oklahoma City to Indiana as part of the George deal, both started against their former team. Oladipo scored 35 points on 11 for 18 shooting.

Oladipo downplayed facing the Thunder.

"Yeah, just another game, man," Oladipo said. "We have to go out and try to win. Unfortunately we came up short."

Oladipo increased his scoring average to 26 points per game. He has thrived in coach Nate McMillan's up-tempo offense.

"Vic's been playing really well for us," said Pacers guard Darren Collison, who scored 18 points. "He has a good flow. It's good to have a player like that, that can get it going the way he's been getting it going. Hopefully we get some wins with that and make us productive."

The Thunder led 54-48 at halftime behind 15 points from Anthony and 11 points and 10 assists from Westbrook. Oladipo scored 21 points before the break.

Oklahoma City got it going early in the second half. A 3-pointer by Josh Huestis put the Thunder ahead 70-57. A driving layup by Westbrook expanded the lead to 82-66 with about three minutes left in the period.

Westbrook had eight rebounds when he sat down to rest late in the third. He returned in the fourth period and grabbed his 10th rebound with just under five minutes remaining.

"He was great tonight," Thunder coach Billy Donovan said. "Overall, I felt like he surveyed and managed the game and the floor, moving guys around. He did an exceptional job."

 

Wednesday, October 25 Scoreboard

Charlotte 110, Denver 93

Detroit 122, Minnesota 101

Houston 105, Philadelphia 104

Brooklyn 112, Cleveland 107

San Antonio 117, Miami 100

Oklahoma City 114, Indiana 96

Dallas 103, Memphis 94

Phoenix 97, Utah 88

Golden State 117, Toronto 112

Los Angeles Lakers 102, Washington 99 (OT)


Thursday, October 26 Schedule (All Times Central)

Atlanta at Chicago, 7 p.m.

Dallas at Memphis, 7 p.m.

Boston at MIwlaukee, 7 p.m.

Los Angeles Clippers at Portland, 9 p.m.

New Orleans at Sacramento, 9:30 p.m.

 

Friday, October 27 Schedule (All Times Central)

Houston at Charlotte, 6 p.m.

San Antonio at Orlando, 6 p.m.

Denver at Atlanta, 6:30 p.m.

Brooklyn at New York, 6:30 p.m.

Oklahoma City at Minnesota, 7 p.m.

Washington at Golden State, 9:30 p.m.

Toronto at Los Angeles Lakers, 9:30 p.m.


Saturday, October 28 Schedule (All Times Central)

Cleveland at New Orleans, 6 p.m.

Boston at Miami, 7 p.m.

Oklahoma City at Chicago, 7 p.m.

Houston at Memphis, 7 p.m.

Philadelphia at Dallas, 7:30 p.m.

Los Angeles Lakers at Utah, 8 p.m.

Phoenix at Portland, 9 p.m.

Detroit at Los Angeles Clippers, 9:30 p.m.


Sunday, October 29 Schedule (All Times Central)

Milwaukee at Atlanta, 2:30 p.m.

San Antonio at Indiana, 3:30 p.m.

Denver at Brooklyn, 5 p.m.

Orlando at Charlotte, 5 p.m.

Washington at Sacramento, 5 p.m.

New York at Cleveland, 6 p.m.

Detroit at Golden State, 7:30 p.m.