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 It was a second triple-double of the season for Westbrook, who
recorded 21 points, a career-high 17 rebounds and 11 assists to
cover for the absence of leading scorer Kevin Durant, who missed the
first of an expected five games with a strained hamstring.
Thunder coach Billy Donovan said he had come close to pulling
Westbrook early.
"I said 'Do you want to come out?' and he kind of nodded and then
when I went to put someone in, he said 'No, no, I'm fine'," Donovan
said. "After that, I didn't ask him any more about it."
Visiting Philadelphia (0-9) took the game to Oklahoma City, jumping
out to a 24-18 lead after the first quarter as forwards Nerlens Noel
and Christian Wood each scored six points.
The Thunder grabbed the lead for good midway through the second
quarter with an 8-0 run. Forward Nick Collison finished the spurt
with a tip-in to give Oklahoma City its biggest advantage of the
half at 39-32.
The Thunder led by four at halftime, but the Sixers refused to fold,
closing the gap every time Oklahoma City threatened to pull away.
Philadelphia's last charge brought the Sixers within 62-61 before
Westbrook took over. He led the Thunder on a 9-0 run to end the
third quarter, scoring three straight buckets, including one on a
spectacular steal and dunk.
That helped the Thunder (6-3) end the third quarter with a 71-61
advantage, and they went on to wrap up their third straight win and
12th in a row over Philadelphia.
Donovan was most impressed with Westbrook's work on the defensive
boards, which sparked the Thunder to 24 fast-break points.
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"He created some offensive rebounds, but the defensive rebounds
enabled us to get on the fast break and run and that was a
positive," Donovan said.
Westbrook said it was something he had been working on.
"I learned over the summer whenever I rebound and start the break
it's better for our team and it gives the opposing team problems
when I am able to do that and push the break," Westbrook said. "That
leads to easy points."
Guard Anthony Morrow, starting in place of Durant, scored eight of
his 12 points in the first quarter. Guard Dion Waiters added 14
points and forward Enes Kanter came off the bench to contribute 13
points and eight rebounds.
Wood topped the Sixers with 15 points, and Noel had 13 points and 11
boards.
(Compiled by Patrick Johnston)
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