OKLAHOMA CITY — Russell Westbrook posted his 30th triple double of the season in leading Oklahoma City to a 109-106 victory over the Utah Jazz on Tuesday at the Chesapeake Energy Arena.
Westbrook racked up 43 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. It was his eighth career 40-point triple double and second in last two games.
Doug McDermott had his best game as a member of the Thunder. He scored 16 points, including hitting 4-of-6 from 3-point range. Enes Kanter came off the bench to pour in 15 points and grab nine rebounds as Oklahoma City improved to 35-25 and to get within two games of the Jazz for the Northwest Division lead.
Gordon Hayward led the Jazz with 19 points on 7 of 17 shooting. Rodney Hood added 18 points while George Hill scored 13 as the Jazz dropped to 37-23 on the season
With 5:10 left in the game Hill drove down the lane for a dunk to close the deficit to 96-89. Hood then drained a 3-pointer to get the Jazz to within four points.
Steven Adams stopped the Utah run by hitting 1 of 2 free throws. But Utah’s Joe Johnson banged in a corner 3-pointer and Oklahoma City’s advantage was down to a single point with 3:13 left on the clock.
Westbrook then turned the ball over and it led to a Hood jumper to put the Jazz ahead for the first time in the game. A pair of Hill free throws gave Utah a 99-86 lead.
Westbrook came down a drilled a jumper, but Alex Abrines fouled Hood while attempting a 3pointer. He made all three free throws.
With Utah leading 106-102 Westbrook drilled a 3-pointer, got a rebound on the other end and drove the court and completed a 3-point play to put Oklahoma City ahead 108-106.
Utah got the ball, but missed a long jumper. However, they got the rebound with 5.7 left and called a timeout. On the inbounds, the Thunder shut down the initial play forced Utah into a turnover.
Jerami Grant was fouled with 1.4 left. He hit 1-of-2 and the Thunder were up by 3.
Utah got the rebound with 1.1 on the clock and had one last chance to tie the contest. Hayward got the ball 35 feet out and was unable to get a clean shot off as the buzzer sounded.
Oklahoma City ended the night shooting 69 percent from 3-point range and 51 percent from the field.
It was a 3-point shooting display for the Thunder to start the evening. Despite being last in the NBA in 3-point percentage, they were on fire in the first half.
Westbrook led the charge as he hit 3 of 3 from long distance in the opening quarter on his way to an 18 point first quarter.
The Jazz tried to slow down the Thunder, but the flood gates were open. Westbrook was joined by McDermott in the second quarter, who drained 4 of 4 from behind the 3-point line.
In all, Oklahoma City set a new team record by hitting 12 consecutive 3-pointers.
After trailing by 13 points, Utah closed to within eight at halftime.
NOTES: The Oklahoma City-Utah game Tuesday was shown in virtual reality on NBA League Pass. However, the game was blacked out in parts of four states, including all of Oklahoma, due to it also being broadcast on Fox Sports Oklahoma. It was the first time this season that the virtual reality system was set up in Oklahoma City. … Oklahoma City G Victor Oladipo missed his third straight game with back spasms. He once again went through a full shootaround, but was unable to suit up. G Alex Abrines started in his place. … Thunder coach Billy Dononvan was asked about reports saying Oklahoma City was set to sign G Norris Cole. “I’m not going to talk about it until something is announced,” Donovan said.