Westbrook scores 45, Thunder beat Pelicans 102-91
NEW ORLEANS -- Russell Westbrook tied a career high with 45 points and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the New Orleans Pelicans 102-91 on Wednesday night.
With Kevin Durant sitting out for the fourth time in the past five games, Westbrook became the main offense for the Thunder (25-24).
They finished on a 13-0 run to put New Orleans (26-23) away and overcame an 11-point third-quarter deficit to win for just the third time in the past seven games.
New Orleans' Anthony Davis scored 23 points and had eight rebounds, while Ryan Anderson added 19 off the bench.
Durant is dealing with a left big toe injury and has played in only 22 of the Thunder's 49 games.
Westbrook, as he often does, stepped up and shot 58 percent from the floor. He scored 25 first-half points, including a career-best for a quarter with 19 in the first. But the Pelicans answered with strong play off the bench, equaling his point total in helping New Orleans to a 57-51 halftime lead.
The Pelicans (26-23) eventually extended the lead to 66-55 in the first four minutes of the third quarter before Westbrook and Serge Ibaka partnered to put momentum firmly in the Thunder's favor. They combined for 15 points during a four-minute stretch that eventually tied the game, putting the Thunder (25-24) in position to steal the win.
Oklahoma City handled much of its scoring from inside the paint, where it outscored the Pelicans by 20 points. The Thunder finished with 27 fast-break points and shot 52.9 percent.
Ibaka finished with 13 points, all of which came in the second half, and seven blocked shots.
The two teams meet again Friday in Oklahoma City.
TIP-INS
Thunder: Anthony Morrow scored 14 points, including two fourth-quarter 3-pointers. The former Pelican made both 3-pointers in front of the New Orleans bench.
Pelicans: New Orleans lost for just the second time at home this season when at least seven players record assists. They had won 13 straight at home when doing so.
UP NEXT
Thunder: Host New Orleans on Friday
Pelicans: At Oklahoma City on Friday
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