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Thunder end Raptors’ win streak

By Thomson Reuters Foundation - Mar 19,2018 - Last updated at Mar 19,2018

Toronto Raptors forward CJ Miles goes up to make a basket against Oklahoma City Thunder during their NBA game in Toronto, Canada, on Sunday (Reuters photo by John E. Sokolowski)

Russell Westbrook capped his 23rd triple-double of 37 points, 14 assists and 13 rebounds by hitting the tiebreaking layup with 39.7 seconds remaining, as the Oklahoma City Thunder snapped the host Toronto Raptors’ team-record, 11-game winning streak with a hotly contested 132-125 victory on Sunday.

Westbrook posted his fifth straight triple-double. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, he and Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson are the only players with three instances of five straight games with a triple-double. Steven Adams had 25 points while Paul George added 22 points as the Thunder won their sixth consecutive game.

In a game that featured 25 lead changes and 20 ties, Westbrook snapped a 125-125 deadlock and then added a five-metre pull-up with 11.7 seconds left.

Westbrook’s final points occurred after DeMar DeRozan missed a layup with 30 seconds left on a play when the Toronto guard thought he was fouled by Corey Brewer.

The game featured 49 fouls and 57 free throws, and in the final minutes, Toronto guard DeMar DeRozan (24 points) was ejected along with Raptors coach Dwane Casey and former Thunder forward Serge Ibaka. DeRozan was tossed by Mark Davis for continuing to argue about being fouled by Brewer and Ibaka was tossed by Davis shortly after getting a questionable foul after getting pushed to the ground, while going by Steven Adams for a rebound during a free throw with 1:09 remaining.

Casey was tossed by Haywoode Workman, though it appeared the official thought a fan’s comments were made by Casey, which resulted in the coach laughing as he walked off the court.

The game ended with the officials being escorted off the court by multiple security guards.

Oklahoma City held a one-point lead when Westbrook returned with about eight minutes left.

He scored 17 points after returning and notched his latest triple-double with a spectacular individual effort by getting the offensive rebound of a missed 3-pointer by Anthony, missing his initial putback, getting another rebound and scoring on another putback with 4:35 remaining for a 118-117 lead.

The eventful fourth occurred after DeRozan gave Toronto a 98-97 lead through three with a 23-foot pull-up jumper with eight-tenths of a second left. DeRozan’s shot occurred after George gave Oklahoma City a 66-64 halftime lead with a jumper with one second left.

 

Trail Blazers 122, Clippers 109

 

Portland rolled at Los Angeles to posted their 13th consecutive win.

Damian Lillard scored 23 points and CJ McCollum added 21 for the Trail Blazers. Portland owns their longest win streak since a 13-game skein early in the 2007-08 season.

Lou Williams went for 30 points and Montrezl Harrell chipped in 24 off the bench for the Clippers, who have lost three in a row.

 

Rockets 129, Timberwolves 120

 

James Harden buried a 3-pointer inside the final minute, and visiting Houston completed a season sweep of Minnesota.

The Timberwolves roared back from a 25-point deficit, pulling within five points. However, Harden, who totalled 34 points and 12 assists, helped the Rockets hang on.

Karl-Anthony Towns paired 20 points with 18 rebounds for the Timberwolves, who have lost five of seven games.

 

Pelicans 108, Celtics 89

 

Anthony Davis had 34 points and 11 rebounds as host New Orleans overcame a slow start and routed Boston.

Cheick Diallo added a season-high 17 points, and Nikola Mirotic had 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Pelicans, who had lost four of their previous five games.

Five Celtics were sidelined by injury, including Kyrie Irving, who missed his third straight game because of left knee soreness, and Marcus Smart, who missed his third straight game because of a sprained right thumb. Jayson Tatum paced Boston with 23 points.

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