The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 123-118 on Wednesday night, thereby bringing an end to the Pelicans’ season and winning them the opportunity to play for the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference playoffs.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 32 points on the night, including 25 in the second half of the game to help Oklahoma City complete their comeback after what was one of the worst first halves of any game statistically this season. Guard Josh Giddey finished just behind Gilgeous-Alexander on 31 points, adding 10 rebounds and nine assists as well.

“When your leader is not flustered and under control out there, it’s a spiral effect,” Giddey reflected after the game. “Guys see that and feed off it.”

Although the Pelicans were successful in their plan to minimize Gilgeous-Alexander’s scoring opportunities, only allowing him to score seven points in the first half, Giddey explained that the Thunder was prepared for this outcome, working it into their own game plan. Instead of attempting to force his way into the game, Gilgeous-Alexander enabled his teammates to create other opportunities, finding his way into the game naturally once the opportunity arose.

Oklahoma City is set to face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night.

The post Thunder Ends Pelicans’ Season, Set to Play Timberwolves for Eight-Seed Playoff Spot appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Portland Trail Blazers might’ve been dealt a blow when they lost center Jusuf Nukic to injury right before the playoffs started. It certainly doesn’t seem to have affected them so far, though.

Portland cruised to a 114-94 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night to go up 2-0 in the series.

The Blazers held Russell Westbrook to one of his worst games in recent memory, holding the Thunder point guard to 5-20 shooting and only 14 points.

Despite Paul George’s solid 27 point night, the Thunder simply couldn’t keep up with Portland’s offensive attack.

Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum put up big nights for the Blazers, scoring 29 and 33 points, respectively.

As the series shifts to Oklahoma City, the Blazers have a commanding 2-0 series lead and look to be a good bet to advance to the next round of the playoffs.

If Oklahoma City is to have any chance, they’ll have to go back to the drawing board and find a way to stop Portland’s potent offensive attack.

If not, it could be a quick exit from this year’s edition of the playoffs for OKC.

The post Blazers Take 2-0 Series Lead with Win Over Thunder appeared first on SportzBonanza.

In yet another unprecedented performance, Russell Westbrook overwhelmed the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night with a performance for the history books.

Westbrook posted the second 20 point, 20 assist, 20 rebound game in the history of the NBA in a 119-103 home win over the Lakers.

The win pushes Oklahoma City to 45-33, pushing them into a tie with the San Antonio Spurs for 7th place in the Western Conference. Four games remain for the playoffs, and the Thunder could theoretically finish as high as 5th in the tight conference.

Without a doubt, the star of the show on Tuesday with Westbrook. The only other player in the history of the NBA to equal his 20-20-20 single-game output was legendary center Wilt Chamberlain, who accomplished the feat back in 1968.

Westbrook dedicated his game to rapper Nipsey Hussle, a fellow Los Angeles native that was killed in a drive-by shooting last Sunday.

Westbrook is now averaging a staggering 23.5 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 10.5 assists per game.

He and the Thunder will be back in action on Friday night at home against the Detroit Pistons.

The post Russell Westbrook Posts 20-20-20 Game appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Russell Westbrook extended his NBA record with his 11th consecutive game with a triple-double on Thursday night in a loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.

Despite losing 131-122 to the Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Westbrook recorded double-digit figures in points, assists, and rebounds for the eleventh consecutive time, becoming the first NBA player in history to record this feat.

Westbrook played 39 minutes in Thursday’s game and finished with 44 points, 11 assists, and 14 rebounds. Despite his magisterial performance, the Thunder lost to move to 37-20 on the season.

He now must wait until after the NBA All Star break to continue his run. The league will be on a break for All Star Weekend from Friday until next Thursday.

The Thunder will return to action next Friday, February 23rd, against the Utah Jazz at home.

Westbrook will start on the bench in Sunday’s All-Star Game in Charlotte, North Carolina for Team Giannis after he was selected 16th overall in the All Star Game draft.

The 30-year-old guard is averaging 21.7 points, 11.2 assists, and 11.2 rebounds in his 11th NBA season this year.

The post Russell Westbrook Extends Triple-Double Streak appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 123-118 on Wednesday night, thereby bringing an end to the Pelicans’ season and winning them the opportunity to play for the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference playoffs.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 32 points on the night, including 25 in the second half of the game to help Oklahoma City complete their comeback after what was one of the worst first halves of any game statistically this season. Guard Josh Giddey finished just behind Gilgeous-Alexander on 31 points, adding 10 rebounds and nine assists as well.

“When your leader is not flustered and under control out there, it’s a spiral effect,” Giddey reflected after the game. “Guys see that and feed off it.”

Although the Pelicans were successful in their plan to minimize Gilgeous-Alexander’s scoring opportunities, only allowing him to score seven points in the first half, Giddey explained that the Thunder was prepared for this outcome, working it into their own game plan. Instead of attempting to force his way into the game, Gilgeous-Alexander enabled his teammates to create other opportunities, finding his way into the game naturally once the opportunity arose.

Oklahoma City is set to face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night.

The post Thunder Ends Pelicans’ Season, Set to Play Timberwolves for Eight-Seed Playoff Spot appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Portland Trail Blazers might’ve been dealt a blow when they lost center Jusuf Nukic to injury right before the playoffs started. It certainly doesn’t seem to have affected them so far, though.

Portland cruised to a 114-94 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night to go up 2-0 in the series.

The Blazers held Russell Westbrook to one of his worst games in recent memory, holding the Thunder point guard to 5-20 shooting and only 14 points.

Despite Paul George’s solid 27 point night, the Thunder simply couldn’t keep up with Portland’s offensive attack.

Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum put up big nights for the Blazers, scoring 29 and 33 points, respectively.

As the series shifts to Oklahoma City, the Blazers have a commanding 2-0 series lead and look to be a good bet to advance to the next round of the playoffs.

If Oklahoma City is to have any chance, they’ll have to go back to the drawing board and find a way to stop Portland’s potent offensive attack.

If not, it could be a quick exit from this year’s edition of the playoffs for OKC.

The post Blazers Take 2-0 Series Lead with Win Over Thunder appeared first on SportzBonanza.

In yet another unprecedented performance, Russell Westbrook overwhelmed the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night with a performance for the history books.

Westbrook posted the second 20 point, 20 assist, 20 rebound game in the history of the NBA in a 119-103 home win over the Lakers.

The win pushes Oklahoma City to 45-33, pushing them into a tie with the San Antonio Spurs for 7th place in the Western Conference. Four games remain for the playoffs, and the Thunder could theoretically finish as high as 5th in the tight conference.

Without a doubt, the star of the show on Tuesday with Westbrook. The only other player in the history of the NBA to equal his 20-20-20 single-game output was legendary center Wilt Chamberlain, who accomplished the feat back in 1968.

Westbrook dedicated his game to rapper Nipsey Hussle, a fellow Los Angeles native that was killed in a drive-by shooting last Sunday.

Westbrook is now averaging a staggering 23.5 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 10.5 assists per game.

He and the Thunder will be back in action on Friday night at home against the Detroit Pistons.

The post Russell Westbrook Posts 20-20-20 Game appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Russell Westbrook extended his NBA record with his 11th consecutive game with a triple-double on Thursday night in a loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.

Despite losing 131-122 to the Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Westbrook recorded double-digit figures in points, assists, and rebounds for the eleventh consecutive time, becoming the first NBA player in history to record this feat.

Westbrook played 39 minutes in Thursday’s game and finished with 44 points, 11 assists, and 14 rebounds. Despite his magisterial performance, the Thunder lost to move to 37-20 on the season.

He now must wait until after the NBA All Star break to continue his run. The league will be on a break for All Star Weekend from Friday until next Thursday.

The Thunder will return to action next Friday, February 23rd, against the Utah Jazz at home.

Westbrook will start on the bench in Sunday’s All-Star Game in Charlotte, North Carolina for Team Giannis after he was selected 16th overall in the All Star Game draft.

The 30-year-old guard is averaging 21.7 points, 11.2 assists, and 11.2 rebounds in his 11th NBA season this year.

The post Russell Westbrook Extends Triple-Double Streak appeared first on SportzBonanza.