Denver Nuggets vs Oklahoma City Thunder Match Player Stats On Apr 12, 2017

The Sports Xchange
Apr 12, 2017

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Nikola Jokic scored 29 points to lead the short-handed Denver Nuggets to a 111-105 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night at Chesapeake Energy Arena.

Jokic went 9 of 14 from the field and 11 of 14 from the free throw line and had 16 rebounds and eight assists. Jamal Murray added 27 points and Malik Beasley scored 17 as the Nuggets ended the season with a 40-42 record.

MVP candidate Russell Westbrook played only 18 minutes and ended the night with five points, eight assists and five rebounds for Oklahoma City. He finished the regular season averaging 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds and 10.4 assists to go along with his second scoring title.

Taj Gibson paced Oklahoma City with 13 points and seven rebounds. Enes Kanter scored 12 points on 6-of-8 shooting from the field. Alex Abrines posted 11 points for the Thunder (47-35).

After Westbrook rested Tuesday night at Minnesota, it looked like he was going to sit out the final game of the season as well. But with NBA Legend Oscar Robertson in town, Westbrook played for a half.

Early in the first quarter, Westbrook knocked down his 200th 3-pointer of the season to add to his career high. His previous best was 101.

Abrines also set a rookie record for Oklahoma City with his 94th 3-pointer, which beat James Harden's previous mark by one.

The Nuggets put up very little resistance early against the Thunder's first team. Playing only seven players, they allowed the Thunder to do pretty much anything they wanted.

Denver did get solid play from Jokic, Beasley and Murray. They kept the Nuggets in the game in the first half as they trailed 64-56.

The Thunder went into rest mode to start the second half. Both Westbrook and Steven Adams stayed on the bench the rest of the night and let the reserves carry the team the rest of the way.

Oklahoma City heads to the postseason as the No. 6 seed to face No. 3 seed Houston in the first round.

NOTES: Before tipoff, Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson and the Basketball Hal of Fame presented Russell Westbrook with a trophy to commemorate him becoming the record-holder for most triple-doubles in a season. "I only have one more thing to say," Robertson told the crowd. "MVP." ... Denver F Danilo Gallinari rested and didn't suit up in the final game. ... The Thunder rested G Andre Roberson and F Doug McDermott. ... The Thunder have won six of the last eight scoring title.