Westbrook, George Lead Thunder to Sixth Straight Win
Westbrook and co. continue to make waves in the West, while Rajon Rondo's generosity earned him a spot in the record books.
OMNISPORT
After a slow start to the NBA season, the Oklahoma City Thunder are finally starting to heat up.
Following a key Christmas Day win over the Houston Rockets, the Thunder captured another victory over a playoff contender on Wednesday, beating the Toronto Raptors 124-107 in Oklahoma City.
Russell Westbrook scored 30 points, dished out 13 assists and grabbed eight rebounds as the Thunder (20-15) earned their sixth straight win despite a 23-2 Toronto run in the first half.
Paul George scored a game-high 33 points as the Thunder improved to 12-3 in December after starting the season 8-12 despite high expectations following the additions of George and Carmelo Anthony, who added 18 points Wednesday.
C.J. Miles led Toronto with 20 points as DeMar DeRozan struggled from the field for a second game in a row, finishing with 15 points on just four-of-16 shooting. DeRozan has made just seven shots the past two games (both losses).
RONDO WITH 25 ASSISTS
Rajon Rondo became the oldest player in NBA history with 25 assists in a game (31 years, 308 days old) in a 128-113 win for the New Orleans Pelicans over the Nets. The last 25-assist game before Rondo's on Wednesday was Jason Kidd in a 1996 Mavs win over the Jazz.
Jimmy Butler scored 12 of the Timberwolves' 14 points in overtime as Minnesota enjoyed a 128-125 win over the Nuggets for their fifth straight win. Butler finished with a season-high 39 points.
WOEFUL WIZARDS
After a hard-fought win over the East-leading Celtics on Christmas Day, Washington disappointed in a major way Wednesday, losing by 14 to the last-placed Hawks, who won consecutive games for the first time this season. Washington are 9-10 against teams under. 500 this season.
TREMENDOUS TATUM
Jayson Tatum had a great crossover and Eurostep in a 102-91 Celtics win over the Hornets.
WEDNESDAY'S RESULTS
Boston Celtics 102-91 Charlotte Hornets
Atlanta Hawks 113-99 Washington Wizards
Chicago Bulls 92-87 New York Knicks
New Orleans Pelicans 128-113 Brooklyn Nets
Dallas Mavericks 98-94 Indiana Pacers
Oklahoma City Thunder 124-107 Toronto Raptors
Minnesota Timberwolves 128-125 (OT) Denver Nuggets
Sacramento Kings 109-95 Cleveland Cavaliers
Golden State Warriors 126-101 Utah Jazz
Memphis Grizzlies 109-99 Los Angeles Lakers
ROCKETS AT CELTICS
Coming off a road win over the Hornets, Boston head home for the second game of a back-to-back schedule against the NBA's best away team, the Houston Rockets (12-2). Houston are looking to end an uncharacteristic three-game losing streak and are hoping James Harden and his customised Meek Mill sneakers will lead the way on Thursday.