Tag: Miami

Westbrook erupts for 36 to lead Thursday’s S&Ds

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.

Hurting LBJ leads Wednesday’s S&Ds

LeBron James was hurting after Miami’s victory over Oklahoma City Wednesday night.

During the course of the game, James twisted his left ankle, rejammed his left ring finger and was taken down by Russell Westbrook in a hard foul that helped  turned the game around.

“I need to find the best damn masseuse in Miami,” James groaned to ESPN.com’s Heat Index after the game.

Despite the physical toll, James came up with perhaps his best all-around effort to lead the Heat’s 98-93 victory over the Thunder — their 17th consecutive home victory.

James notched 34 points, seven rebounds, 10 assists and four steals to lead the matchup between two of the league’s power teams.

The Westbrook play may have energized the Heat. James was driving for breakaway dunk when Westbrook pulled him off balance and sent him sprawling to the floor. 

“I don’t know, I’m not one to say it was a dirty play or not a dirty play, I’ll let you guys decide,” James told the Heat Index. “It’s a dangerous play. Just look at the other end, Russ being as athletic as he is going down the lane and someone tries that. It’s a fine line.”

It could have been a playoff preview that some NBA fans would savor.

But before that, James came up with another strong effort to lead Wednesday’s Studs and Duds.

STUDS

Miami F LeBron James: Filled the stat sheet for 34 points, 10 assists, seven rebounds, four steals and was a game-high plus-20 in the Heat’s triumph over  Oklahoma City.

Los Angeles Lakers C Andrew Bynum: Notched 36 points, eight rebounds, four blocks and was a team-high plus-10 in the Lakers’ victory over the Clippers.

Los Angeles Lakers G Kobe Bryant: Went for 31 points, five rebounds, six assists and was plus-8 in the Lakers’ triumph over the Clippers.

Milwaukee G Monta Ellis: Notched 30 points, five rebounds, eight assists and was a game-high plus-10 in the Bucks’ triumph over Cleveland.

Los Angeles Clippers G Chris Paul: Went for 22 points, 16 assists and two rebounds in the Clippers’ loss to the Lakers.

DUDS

New Jersey F Gerald Wallace: Clanked through a 3-for-12 shooting effort with a turnover and was a game-worst minus-38 in the Nets’ loss at Portland.

Washington G John Wall: Clanked through a 4-for-15 shooting effort with five turnovers and was a game-worst minus-22 in the Wizards’ loss to Indiana.

New Jersey G Sundiata Gaines: Missed all five shots, had two turnovers and was minus-24 in the Nets’ loss at Portland.

Denver F Corey Brewer: Missed all seven shots with a turnover and was a game-worst minus-18 in the Nuggets’ loss at New Orleans.

Cleveland F Samardo Samuels: Missed both shots and was a game-worst minus-22 in only 15 minutes in the Cavaliers’ loss at Milwaukee.

Allen should return, but might not start tonight vs. Spurs

Veteran Boston guard Ray Allen practiced Tuesday with his team and appears ready to return with the Celtics for their game tonight against the Spurs.

Allen has missed the last six games with a sprained right ankle he sustained during the Celtics’ eight-game road trip last month. He continued to play until a March 23 loss at Philadelphia.

Avery Bradley has played well in his place as the Celtics have charged to a five-game winning streak propelling them to a 1½-game lead in the Atlantic Division over the Sixers heading into tonight’s game.

Bradley has bolstered the team’s defense while in the starting lineup. But the real reason has been that Rajon Rondo has picked up his offensive game, notching a triple-double in the Celtics’ last game — a victory over Miami Sunday afternoon.

Boston coach Doc Rivers told reporters that Allen made it through Tuesday’s practice, but added “that still doesn’t mean he’ll play tomorrow. Because the practice could affect his ankle and he can’t practice tomorrow. Right now, he’s playing.”

It’s hard to believe that Allen won’t be in the starting lineup if he’s available. Bradley has played well in his absence, but Allen is a future Hall of Fame player.

“Whatever we need to do as a team, the effort that I’ve seen over the last week-and-a-half, two weeks, has been great,” Allen told . “That’s all we need to make sure we keep up. Whatever combinations we work out there, we’re all good enough and professional enough to understand it. But when we’re out there playing . . . we’re at a point in the season where everybody knows who each other are.”

Allen has never come off the bench for the Celtics since joining the team in the 2007-08 season. He’s played as a reserve only four times in his career — most recently on Dec. 5, 2002, with Milwaukee.

It’s hard to believe that streak would end Wednesday night against the Spurs, who have lost seven of their last nine against the Celtics.

But the Spurs have been successful in Boston over the years, notching an 11-2 record there during the Tim Duncan era.