Russell Westbrook didn’t let a slow start change his focus in a big game in his home area.
Westbrook returned to Los Angeles and provided 36 points and six assists to lead Oklahoma City’s 102-93 triumph over the Lakers.
In the process, Westbrook turned around a sputtering start that saw him miss four of his first six shots in the first quarter.
“The game got out of whack. It was my job to pick it up,” Westbrook told the Associated Press. “We did a great job of defending and closing out the game.”
The victory enabled the Thunder to stretch their winning streak to five straight games as they moved three games ahead of the Spurs for the best record in the Western Conference.
He also earned some praise from Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, who unsuccessfully tried to keep him in check for most of the game.
“Russell Westbrook established the tempo in the third quarter and he changed the pace of the game for them,” Bryant told the AP. “He’s one of my favorites. He’s developed his outside shot a great deal, and he went to the post a little bit as well so he’s a problem.”
It enabled him to lead Thursday’s Studs and Duds of the top performers across the association.
STUDS
Oklahoma City G Russell Westbrook: Notched 36 points, six assists and two steals and was plus-5 in the Thunder’s victory at the Los Angeles Lakers.
Portland F LaMarcus Aldridge: Went for 25 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and was plus-4 in the Trail Blazers’ victory over New Orleans.
Indiana F Danny Granger: Tallied 25 points, seven rebounds and two blocks in the Pacers’ triumph over Washington.
Miami F Chris Bosh: Went for 19 points, nine rebounds, two blocks and was plus-26 in the Heat’s victory over Dallas.
Los Angeles Lakers C Andrew Bynum: Notched 25 points, 13 rebounds, four blocks and was plus-2 in the Lakers’ loss to Oklahoma City.
DUDS
Dallas G Jason Terry: Clanked through a 1-for-10 shooting night with three turnovers and was a team-worst minus-20 in the Mavericks’ loss at Miami.
Los Angeles Lakers G Ramon Sessions: Limited to seven points with five turnovers in the Lakers’ loss to Oklahoma City.
Portland G Jamal Crawford: Missed all six shots from the field, including five 3-pointers, in the Trail Blazers’ victory over New Orleans.
New Orleans G Xavier Henry: Went 1 for 7 from the field and was a team-worst minus-16 in the Hornets’ loss at Portland.
Los Angeles Lakers F Metta World Peace: Struggled through a 3-for-13 shooting night and was minus-5 in the Lakers’ loss to Oklahoma City.