Thunder coast past Bucks in battle of MVP favourites
Billed as a matchup between two of the early favorites for this season's NBA MVP award, the Thunder's visit to the Milwaukee Bucks turned out to be a 110-91 Oklahoma City rout.
The Thunder took a 9-8 lead on a Russell Westbrook free throw five minutes into the first quarter and never looked back on Tuesday.
A 16-0 run keyed a 31-23 first quarter for the Thunder, who claimed a 60-42 advantage by half-time and went on to win the game away from home.
With the game well in hand, reigning MVP Westbrook played just 26 minutes but came an assist shy of another triple-double. He finished with 12 points, 10 rebounds, and nine dimes.
Meanwhile, Bucks All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo shined per usual, with 28 points on nine of 14 shooting, eight rebounds, and three assists. He lacked any kind of support, however, as none of his teammates scored in double digits.
The Thunder were balanced on offense, Paul George leading the way with 20 points, followed by Carmelo Anthony and reserve Jerami Grant with 17 apiece.
BOOKER STARS AS SUNS SIZZLE
A day after his 21st birthday, Devin Booker led the Phoenix Suns to a 122-114 win over the Brooklyn Nets, sinking five of eight three-pointers en route to a 32-point night. Booker shot 11 of 22 overall and added seven rebounds and four assists.
It was Booker’s second successive 30-point game, as he dropped 34 in a losing effort to the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday.
D'Angelo Russell, another young guard beginning to make his mark on the league, registered 33 points, six rebounds and four assists for the Nets.
HIELD STRUGGLES FROM THE FLOOR… AGAIN!
Buddy Hield's shooting woes linger, as the second-year guard made just two of nine shots, including missing all three of his long-range attempts in the Sacramento Kings' 101-83 defeat to the Indiana Pacers. Hield is shooting 37 percent from the field this season and 25 percent from distance.
NO STOPPING BOOKER
Booker turned Russell all the way around with this behind-the-back dribble before hitting a floater in the lane over Tyler Zeller.
TUESDAY'S RESULTS
Indiana Pacers 101-83 Sacramento Kings
Phoenix Suns 122-114 Brooklyn Nets
Oklahoma City Thunder 110-91 Milwaukee Bucks
Los Angeles Lakers 113-93 Detroit Pistons
ROCKETS AT KNICKS
The New York Knicks have a little something going post-Melo, winning three straight, a run some are partly attributing to head coach Jeff Hornacek's decision to insert point guard Jarrett Jack into the starting line-up. Jack is meshing with Kristaps Porzingis, dishing 12 assists to the rising Latvian star in the 28 minutes they have been on the court together in those three games. New York should expect Houston's best game on Wednesday, as the Rockets have lost back-to-back contests.