Westbrook Leads Thunder Past Davis-less Pelicans

Russell Westbrook scored 43 points on the night, dished eight assists and grabbed nine rebounds to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder past the New Orleans Pelicans 110-103 at home in Chesapeake Energy Arena.

Without Anthony Davis and others in the starting lineup, the injury-prone Pelicans (1-11) dropped to 0-7 on the road and suffered their fifth consecutive loss this season. The Thunder snapped a two-game losing streak with a victory over the Pelicans without Kevin Durant in the starting lineup due a hamstring injury.

The two teams traded baskets until beyond the midway point of the first quarter. Following a timeout with 5:41 remaining, the Pelicans’ offense came to life.

With the Thunder leading 15-11, the Pelicans went on a 14-6 run to end the quarter, leading the Thunder 27-21. The Pelicans’ defense held the Thunder to only six points in the last eight minutes of the first quarter.

Oklahoma City started the second quarter on a 7-3 run before Ryan Anderson hit a three pointer to give the Pelicans a 33-28 lead with 8:00 remaining in the quarter.

Nov 18, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Ryan Anderson (33) drives to the basket against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Nick Collison (4) during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

After a timeout, the Thunder (7-5) continued to score and took the lead within the seven-minute mark of the quarter. From there, the teams exchanged baskets. The Thunder, however, maintained the lead, taking a 53-45 in to the half.

At the half, Eric Gordon led the Pelicans in scoring with 14 points. As a team, the Pelicans shot 40 percent from the field.

Russell Westbrook led the Thunder in scoring with 18 points, three assists and four rebounds. The Thunder shot 41 percent from the field. Oklahoma City outrebounded New Orleans 25-21. The Thunder also outscored the Pelicans in the paint 26-16.

In the third, the Pelicans came out strong, scoring the first eight points. After a timeout, Anthony Morrow hit a three pointer to start a 7-2 run by the Thunder before the Pelicans took a timeout. Leading 67-55 in the third, the Thunder increased their lead to 73-59.

While it looked as if the Pelicans hit a rough patch in terms of scoring, the Pelicans kept the game close with key offensive production from Ish Smith, Ryan Anderson and Alexis Ajinca, who had 12 points at the end of the third. The Pelicans trailed the Thunder 80-74 going in to the fourth.

In the fourth quarter, Toney Douglas stepped up big for the Pelicans, scoring eight points and cutting the Thunder lead to 83-80.

Following a timeout with 8:33 remaining in the game, the Thunder scored five points to increase their lead to 90-82.

Nov 18, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after a play against the New Orleans Pelicans during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Then, DJ Augustin hit a huge three pointer followed by a put back in the paint from Enes Kanter, giving the Thunder a 95-84 lead.

The Pelicans fought back with clutch three point shots from Ryan Anderson and Luke Babbitt to cut the deficit to 97-94.

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After a Thunder timeout, the Pelicans continued to fight back but Westbrook was too much down stretch offensively, scoring 11 of Oklahoma City’s 13 final points.

As a team, New Orleans shot 45 percent from the field in the game. Ryan Anderson led the Pelicans in scoring with 30 points, followed by 18 from Ish Smith and Eric Gordon respectively.

Oklahoma City shot 45 percent from the field, outrebounded the Pelicans 50-40 and won the turnover battle 14-11. Westbrook led the Thunder in scoring, followed by Enes Kanter with 24 points.

The Pelicans return to action Friday at home against the San Antonio Spurs. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m…..

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