NBA Thursday Round up: Westbrook scores 45, George inspires Pacers
Russell Westbrook and Paul George celebrated their NBA All-Star selection in style for the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers respectively.
Added to the All-Star game as reserves, Westbrook 45 points led the Thunder to a 109-98 win over the Dallas Mavericks while George helped the Pacers beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 109-103.
Elsewhere on Thursday, the Denver Nuggets trumped the Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Lakers lost to the Utah Jazz.
WESTBROOK INSPIRES THUNDER
The guard’s triple-double streak stopped at three games but he was still a star act.
Westbrook scored 17 of his 45 points in the final nine minutes to see off the short-handed Mavericks.
The win, however, was overshadowed by an injury to Enes Kanter, who fractured his right forearm after punching a chair in the second quarter.
GEORGE SHOWS HE’S AN ALL-STAR
Picked for his fourth All-Star game, George posted 32 points for the Pacers.
Myles Turner (23 points) and Jeff Teague (20 points, 13 assists) also starred as the Pacers ended a three-game losing run.
WESTBROOK GETS HOT
#RussellWestbrook getting it going early…
We’re off on @NBAonTNT! #NBARapidReplay pic.twitter.com/V6u0ZBlUwo
— NBA (@NBA) January 27, 2017
Block No.5 for Rudy Gobert!#NBARapidReplay @NBAonTNT pic.twitter.com/3Z3T3xFz9t
— NBA (@NBA) January 27, 2017
NUGGETS, JAZZ SOAR
Nikola Jokic had 2 points and 14 rebounds as the Nuggets overcame the Suns 127-120, while the Jazz defeated the Lakers 96-88.
HOME COMFORT TO HELP CAVS?
Amid a three-game losing streak, reigning champions the Cleveland Cavaliers host the Brooklyn Nets on Friday. The San Antonio Spurs face the Orleans Pelicans, while the resurgent Philadelphia 6ers take on the Houston Rockets.
