Westbrook leads OKC past Suns in NBA return
(The Sports Xchange) In his first game back from a knee injury, Russell Westbrook scored 21 points to lead Oklahoma City to a 103-96 points win over previously undefeated Phoenix.
Westbrook made his season debut after undergoing surgery last April and sparked his team alongside Kevin Durant who added 33 points on 10-of-19 shooting from the field to go with 10 rebounds and two steals.
The Suns (2-1) were led by Eric Bledsoe, who scored 26 points and had 14 assists.
With 3:05 left in the game, Bledsoe knocked down a layup to cut the Thunder’s lead to 90-87, but Westbrook responded with a quick drive to the basket and Oklahoma held firm down the stretch.
– – –
Timberwolves 109,
Knicks 100
Kevin Love registered his third double-double in as many games with 34 points and 15 rebounds to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 3-0 start.
Carmelo Anthony, the NBA’s leading scorer last season, led the Knicks with 22 points as the team fell to 1-2.
Love, who entered the game ranked third in the league in scoring (27.5 ppg) and second in rebounding (14.5), missed 62 games last season to an injury to his right hand but is off to a strong campaign.
– – –
Heat 103, Wizards 93
The Miami Heat snapped an uncharacteristic two-game losing streak, defeating the Washington Wizards.
The defending NBA champions were led by LeBron James with 25 points and five assists. Chris Bosh added 24 points and seven rebounds. Dwyane Wade had 20 points.
Shaking off their recent form, Miami led 87-64 after three quarters before Washington shrunk the final deficit in the fourth.
– – –
Magic 107, Nets 86
Rookie reserve guard Victor Oladipo, the No. 2 pick of the NBA Draft, scored 19 points in 21 minutes to spark the Orlando Magic to an upset victory over the veteran-laden Brooklyn Nets and ruin the debut of head coach Jason Kidd.
The Nets (1-2) faltered despite beating the Miami Heat two days earlier. Brook Lopez led the Nets with 21 points and Paul Pierce had 16.
Kidd missed the first two games with a suspension.
– – –
Pistons 87, Celtics 77
Detroit’s frontcourt trio of Andre Drummond, Josh Smith and Greg Monroe had 15 points apiece and combined for 29 rebounds to lead the Pistons to a victory over winless Boston.
Point guard Brandon Jennings, acquired in a blockbuster deal with Milwaukee during the summer, made his Pistons debut after sitting out the first two games with a partially fractured jaw. He contributed 14 points, four assists and four steals.
– – –
Lakers 105, Hawks 103
Pau Gasol hit two free throws with six seconds remaining and the Lakers held off the Hawks for a 105-103 victory.
Xavier Henry led the Lakers with 18 points, but it was Gasol who bailed them out after they blew a 21-point lead.
Kyle Korver led Atlanta with 22 points on 8-of-9 shooting from the field, including 6 of 6 on 3-pointers.