With all eyes on Russell Westbrook, Suns score season-high 71 points in first half
Apr 7, 2017, 8:50 PM | Updated: 9:27 pm
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) drives past Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, April 7, 2017, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
(AP Photo/Matt York)
While the national media came to the Phoenix Suns’ matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder to see if Russell Westbrook got his record-setting 42nd triple-double, the Suns’ play was the story early on.
Phoenix scored 71 points on the Thunder in the first half, setting a new season high and surpassing the 68 they scored against the Lakers on Feb. 15.
The @Suns have a new season-high for points before halftime, surpassing their previous high of 68 set 2/15 vs. LAL
— Phoenix Suns Stats (@SunsBballComm) April 8, 2017
The first quarter has been a problem for the Suns during their 13-game losing streak, but they managed to outscore the Thunder 32-19 in the opening period Friday night.
The high-scoring half was an all-around team effort. Seven Suns players scored seven or more points, led by 15 points on 7-of-10 shooting from T.J. Warren.
🌪 spin cycle 🌪 pic.twitter.com/eeLGyAApbI
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) April 8, 2017
Overall, the Suns shot 61.4 percent from the floor and 13-of-17 from the foul line. Alan Williams led the way with his physical play, shooting 5-of-6 from the stripe. Williams ended the half with 11 points.
Phoenix not only scored at high volumes but shut down Oklahoma City. The Thunder shot 43 percent from the floor and 21.4 percent from three in the first half. The Suns lead at one point was as high as 28 points.
Westbrook, the draw of the evening, had six points on 2-of-13 shooting to go along with seven rebounds, three assists and six turnovers before the break.
In the third quarter, Westbrook would get his sixth assist, guaranteeing the MVP candidate a triple-double average for the season. The Thunder cut the lead to 11 at one point in the quarter, but the Suns came back to hold a 23-point lead heading into the final quarter.
Ultimately, the Suns took home a 120-90 victory. Devin Booker’s 37 points led the way for the Suns in their win. Meanwhile, Westbrook finished with 23 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists. He has three games left to break Oscar Robertson’s record of 41 triple-doubles
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