Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook overcame an ankle issue in the first quarter to notch up a triple double in a 102-85 victory over the winless Philadelphia 76ers today.
It was a second triple-double of the season for Westbrook, who recorded 21 points, a career-high 17 rebounds and 11 assists to cover for the absence of leading scorer Kevin Durant, who missed the first of an expected five games with a strained hamstring.
Thunder coach Billy Donovan said he had come close to pulling Westbrook early.
"I said 'Do you want to come out?' and he kind of nodded and then when I went to put someone in, he said 'No, no, I'm fine'," Donovan said. "After that, I didn't ask him any more about it."
Visiting Philadelphia (0-9) took the game to Oklahoma City, jumping out to a 24-18 lead after the first quarter as forwards Nerlens Noel and Christian Wood each scored six points.
The Thunder grabbed the lead for good midway through the second quarter with an 8-0 run. Forward Nick Collison finished the spurt with a tip-in to give Oklahoma City its biggest advantage of the half at 39-32.
The Thunder led by four at halftime, but the Sixers refused to fold, closing the gap every time Oklahoma City threatened to pull away.
Philadelphia's last charge brought the Sixers within 62-61 before Westbrook took over. He led the Thunder on a 9-0 run to end the third quarter, scoring three straight buckets, including one on a spectacular steal and dunk.
That helped the Thunder (6-3) end the third quarter with a 71-61 advantage, and they went on to wrap up their third straight win and 12th in a row over Philadelphia.
Donovan was most impressed with Westbrook's work on the defensive boards, which sparked the Thunder to 24 fast-break points.
"He created some offensive rebounds, but the defensive rebounds enabled us to get on the fast break and run and that was a positive," Donovan said.
Westbrook said it was something he had been working on.
"I learned over the summer whenever I rebound and start the break it's better for our team and it gives the opposing team problems when I am able to do that and push the break," Westbrook said. "That leads to easy points."
Guard Anthony Morrow, starting in place of Durant, scored eight of his 12 points in the first quarter. Guard Dion Waiters added 14 points and forward Enes Kanter came off the bench to contribute 13 points and eight rebounds.
Wood topped the Sixers with 15 points, and Noel had 13 points and 11 boards.
LeBron sparks Cavs comeback
LeBron James and Mo Williams ignited a fourth-quarter comeback to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers over the New York Knicks.
James and Williams combined for 21 of the Cavaliers 24 fourth quarter points. Cleveland trailed by six points with 5:24 to go, before the duo took over.
Williams' jumper put the Cavaliers ahead 86-84 with 40 seconds left and his four free throws in the final 18 seconds sealed the win.
James finished with 31 points and Williams scored 20.
Forward Carmelo Anthony led the Knicks with 26 points, but only scored four in the second half.
Grizzlies snap losing streak
The Memphis Grizzlies snapped a four-game losing streak with a 101-100 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers with forward Zach Randolph tipping in the winning basket with 0.6 seconds to play.
Portland rallied from a 14-point deficit in the third quarter and held a 100-99 lead when forward Al-Farouq Aminu (16 points) hit a three-pointer with 12.5 seconds to play before Randolph snatched it back.
Aminu then missed a desperation jumper on the move as time expired.
Center Marc Gasol scored a game-high 31 points and also chipped in five assists with four rebounds.
Cousins scores 40, Rondo reaches triple-double
Power forward DeMarcus Cousins scored 40 points and grabbed 13 rebounds and point guard Rajon Rondo had a triple-double with 23 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds to lead the Sacramento Kings to a 111-109 victory over the Brooklyn Nets.
Rondo had his third triple-double in his past four games for the Kings (3-7), who won back-to-back games for the first time this season.
