Portland was banged up, but if you're looking for sympathy from Oklahoma City in the injury department, you can look elsewhere. With the Pelicans beating the league worst Minnesota Timberwolves, Monday night became a must-win for the Thunder. Russell Westbrook was going to make sure his team did just that.
A night after heaving 43 shots and putting up a career-high 54 points, the Thunder point guard poured in 36 points and completely abused his matchup with Damian Lillard. Over the last two games, Westbrook has 90 points on 34 of 70 shooting. Westbrook also added 11 rebounds and seven assists.
Enes Kanter had a nice game following a poor game against the Indiana Pacers. He put in 27 and 13 and was a plus-13 in his 36 minutes trailing only Westbrook, who was a plus-16.
The Thunder's focus now switches to Wednesday. OKC will travel to Minnesota to take on the Timberwolves. Oklahoma City faces a must-win situation and also need the San Antonio Spurs to beat the Pelicans in order to make the playoffs.
It's been an interesting season to say the least for the Thunder. What would the payout have been if you had placed a bet on Boston making the playoffs and the Thunder not? The odds of that happening couldn't have been high, and if the Pelicans win Wednesday night (or the Thunder loses) that scenario will happen.
Good news for Thunder playoff hopeful fans: San Antonio has a little bit to play for. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has said in years past that seeding doesn't matter; however, if San Antonio wins on Wednesday they will keep the second seed. In this year’s West, you want to be playing either the eighth seed (OKC or New Orleans) or Dallas, or Portland. Those three teams offer the least resistance and with a win Wednesday, San Antonio can clinch a date with the Dallas Mavericks.
The season overall has been a crazy one. The reigning MVP played less than a third of his team's games. While no one is certain as to who will be this years' MVP, could the Thunder suffer the ultimate pain, and miss the playoffs while James Harden accepts the MVP trophy? It would only make sense. The dream killing basketball year of 2014-2015 for the state of Oklahoma is almost to an end. Will the Pelicans seize an opportunity for the games newest top tier player to showcase his ability? Or will the Spurs crush the Pelicans' dreams and let Russell Westbrook wreak havoc on one of the best teams in recent history? Wednesday will tell.