Oklahoma City
6th Western Conference49-33
New Orleans
13th Western Conference33-49
Oklahoma City @ New Orleans preview
Smoothie King Center
Last Meeting ( Jan 24, 2019 ) New Orleans 116, Oklahoma City 122
Oklahoma City star point guard Russell Westbrook looks to extend his record streak of triple-doubles to 11 when the Thunder visit the wobbly New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday. Westbrook had 21 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists in Monday's 120-111 home win over the Portland Trail Blazers to break legendary Wilt Chamberlain's record of nine straight triple doubles in 1968.
Westbrook's latest stellar outing - and his 23rd triple-double of the campaign - led streaking Oklahoma City to its 11th win in the past 12 games. "I just go play the game the right way," Westbrook told reporters after the win. "It's what I do. Go out and compete every night and leave it on the floor, and whatever happens, happens. I'm very, very blessed to be able to go out and play, and I don't take it for granted." The Pelicans are badly unraveling with 10 losses in the past 14 games and disgruntled star Anthony Davis had three points on 1-of-9 shooting in a 118-88 home loss to the Orlando Magic on Tuesday. "Obviously I missed a lot of shots, a lot of easy shots - layups and stuff that I normally make - early in the game," Davis told reporters. "But they came out more desperate. They played like they were playing for something, and they showed it."
TV: 8 p.m. ET, TNT, FS Oklahoma
ABOUT THE THUNDER (37-19): Star forward Paul George got into the triple-double act with the third of his career as he poured in 47 points and added 12 rebounds and 10 assists against Portland. George decided not to leave as a free agent after last season and he and Westbrook are meshing on the court and off in their second season as teammates. "The chemistry is probably one of the best I’ve ever seen,” veteran point guard Raymond Felton told reporters. “When you got your two superstars on your team that are connected the way they are - them two are like brothers. When those two are at that level and connected with each other like that, it’s easy for everybody else to fall in suit."
ABOUT THE PELICANS (25-33): Veteran guard Jrue Holiday termed the 30-point home loss as "definitely embarrassing" as the atmosphere around the team remains surly after Davis requested a trade and wasn't dealt prior to last Thursday's deadline. Davis played only 24 minutes against the Magic in his third game since he wasn't moved and coach Alvin Gentry said he is tired of having to address the Davis situation. "Whatever our new normal is, we want to get back to that and put all the other stuff behind us and just start playing and trying to win basketball games, and trying to compete and try to get our young players better," Gentry told reporters. "That's all I want to do. That's it. And I'm not going to talk about it anymore. I'm done talking about it."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Thunder are 2-1 against the Pelicans this season with the loss coming in New Orleans on Dec. 12 when Davis scored 44 points.
2. New Orleans F Darius Miller is 8-of-31 shooting over the past three games
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3. Oklahoma City F Jerami Grant (ankle) is expected to miss his second straight game, while PG Dennis Schroder (birth of child) also could sit out his second consecutive contest.
PREDICTION: Thunder 133, Pelicans 106