Russell Westbrook doesn't appear to be missing the one-two punch he formed with ex-teammate Kevin Durant as the Oklahoma City Thunder guard exploded Friday for a 51-point triple double against Phoenix. Westbrook posted the first 50-point triple double since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar during the 1974-75 NBA season as he began the post-Durant era by powering the Thunder to back-to-back wins. Westbrook, who just missed a triple double in the season opener against Philadelphia, lit Phoenix up for 51 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists as the Thunder won 113-110 in overtime in front of a crowd of 18,200 at the Chesapeake Energy Arena. "Very simple. If you want to win, you don't think about being tired, said Westbrook, who made 17-of-44 shots from the field. After eight seasons together in Oklahoma City, Westbrook is playing without Durant who signed with the Golden State Warriors in the offseason. Durant or no Durant, over the last two seasons no player has recorded more triple-doubles than Westbrook. He tallied 18 last season and now has 38 in his career. Thunder guard Victor Oladipo added 21 points as no other Oklahoma City player scored in double figures. The Suns were led by guard TJ Warren's 30 points and nine rebounds. Guard Devin Booker scored 21 points and Eric Bledsoe added 17. Cavaliers 94, Raptors 91: Kyrie Irving's team-high 26 points helped Cleveland edge Toronto. With the game tied 91-91, Irving dropped one of his five 3-pointers on the night helping the defending NBA champions remain undefeated to start the season. The 24-year-old guard finished the night 10 of 23 from the field and 5-for-9 from beyond the arc. LeBron James added 21 points, eight rebounds and seven assists while Kevin Love chipped win with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Nets 103, Pacers 94: Brook Lopez scored 25 points and Brooklyn held Indiana without a basket for the first five-plus minutes of the fourth quarter and rallied for a victory in the home coaching debut of Kenny Atkinson. Jeremy Lin contributed 21 points, nine assists and nine rebounds for the Nets, who held the Pacers to 15 points in the final 12 minutes. Sean Kilpatrick tied a career best by hitting four 3-pointers and added 18 points for Brooklyn, which shot 10 of 33 from 3-point range after missing its first nine attempts. Hornets 97, Heat 91: Kemba Walker had a game-high 24 points as Charlotte stormed back from a 19-point third-quarter deficit to defeat Miami. The Hornets never led in the first three quarters as the Heat dominated early. But Charlotte's defense and depth wore down Miami, which had won eight straight home openers entering Friday. Walker, who had just nine points at the half, helped Charlotte rally with his play after intermission. In addition, the Hornets got 51 points from their bench. Warriors 122, Pelicans 114: Kevin Durant scored 30 points and Klay Thompson had 28 as Golden State held off Anthony Davis and New Orleans. The Pelicans fell to 0-2 despite another virtuoso performance by Davis. He finished with 45 points, 17 rebounds and three assists. Pistons 108, Magic 92: Tobias Harris scored 18 points against his former team and Detroit opened up a 23-point halftime lead in their home opener and cruised past Orlando. Ish Smith contributed 16 points and eight rebounds, Marcus Morris had 17 points and Andre Drummond powered for 12 points and 20 rebounds for the Pistons. Other results: Rockets 106, Mavericks 98; Jazz 96, Lakers 89. — Agencies
