Westbrook’s triple-double leads Thunder past Nets

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Russell Westbrook scored 31 points in his 26th triple-double of the season, and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Brooklyn Nets 108-96 on Wednesday night.

Westbrook added 12 rebounds and 11 assists for the 130th triple-double of his career.

Paul George scored 25 points and Jerami Grant added 15 for the Thunder, who shot 49 percent in the second half. Oklahoma City has won three of four as it battles to secure home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

Spencer Dinwiddie scored 25 points and D’Angelo Russell added 14 points and seven assists for the Nets, who saw their four-game win streak snapped.

The Nets led 52-42 at halftime behind 11 points from Dinwiddie. Westbrook scored 17 points in the first half to keep the Thunder in the game, but Oklahoma City shot just 35.6 percent from the field before the break.

The Thunder quickly eliminated Brooklyn’s lead in the second half. Oklahoma City scored 20 points in the first 3:41 of the third quarter to take the lead, and the Thunder took an 80-78 edge into the fourth.

Oklahoma City dominated the fourth behind Westbrook’s all-around play. He hit a 3-pointer after a scramble to put the Thunder ahead 100-87 with 4:51 to go. He had seven points, five rebounds and five assists in the final period.

TIP-INS

Nets: Opened the game with a 9-0 run. … G Shabazz Napier sat out with right hamstring tightness. … Shot 6 for 21 in the fourth quarter.

Thunder: Westbrook only had one assist in the first half. … George scored 13 points in the third quarter. … F Markieff Morris sat out with neck soreness.

UP NEXT

The Nets play at the Utah Jazz on Saturday.

The Thunder play at the Indiana Pacers on Thursday.