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That trade, which sent Chris Paul and four
draft picks to the Thunder, was the second major swap in an
offseason of rebuilding for Oklahoma City.
Less than a week before dealing Westbrook, the Thunder sent Paul
George to the Los Angeles Clippers for second-year guard Shai
Gilgeous-Alexander, veteran swingman Danilo Gallinari and draft
picks.
All of the players the Thunder received in those trades played
big roles in Thursday's decisive win.
Gallinari led Oklahoma City with 23 points, Gilgeous-Alexander
added 20 and Paul put in 18.
The Thunder won for the seventh time in eight games.
While with the Thunder, Westbrook made a habit of running across
the court after being introduced, and gesturing toward the
adoring crowd.
In his first game in Chesapeake Energy Arena as a visitor,
Westbrook ran to the same corner after being introduced, raising
his index finger high as the crowd gave him a lengthy ovation.
That ovation followed a video tribute by the Thunder to
Westbrook's remarkable stint with Oklahoma City that included
the 2016-17 Most Valuable Player award and three consecutive
seasons averaging a triple-double.
But while the Thunder were welcoming to Westbrook before the
game, they were plenty hostile once it got underway.
Oklahoma City scored 37 first-quarter points to lead by 16 after
12 minutes, and the game was never closer than double figures
the rest of the way.
Westbrook was 14 of 26 from the floor but the Rockets' other
star, James Harden, was just 5 of 17 from the floor and 2 of 9
from behind the 3-point line to finish with a season-low 17
points.
Houston was held below 100 points for just the second time this
season.
The loss snapped a three-game winning streak for the Rockets.
--Field Level Media
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