Not even four minutes into the game, the Oklahoma City Thunder took an 11-10 lead, and they never looked back. The Thunder led by as many as 15, but the Pelicans did everything they could to cut the lead to stay in the game. New Orleans cut the Oklahoma City lead to four with only 1:31 left in the game, but Russell Westbrook was not about to let another home game slip away as the Thunder finished the game with five straight points to win 101-92.

Team Ball Fuels Win

Oklahoma City continues to find help in unlikely places and more specifically, from guys not named Russell Westbrook. The Thunder had 24 assists, 25 transition points, and despite Steven Adams spraining his ankle late in the first quarter after scoring seven points, Oklahoma City outscored the Pelicans in the paint 62-42.

As usual, Russell Westbrook led the Thunder in the major statistical categories, but several other players had solid games as well. Enes Kanter filled in for the injured Steven Adams, and he finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds in 30 minutes. Victor Oladipo did not shoot particularly well, but he still finished with 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists. And lastly, on his birthday, Andre Roberson finished with 13 points on 6/8 shooting and 5 rebounds.

Russell Westbrook Continues to Make History

Russell Westbrook dishes 10th assist for 5th straight trip-dbl. Joins Jordan, Robertson, Chamberlain as only ones to ever do it. #NBAHistory pic.twitter.com/k6Y0uiQUoM — OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) December 5, 2016

Russell Westbrook finished the game with 28 points, 17 rebounds, and 12 assists to notch his fifth triple-double in a row joining Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain, and Oscar Robertson and doing it for the first time since Jordan did it in 1989. Tonight’s feat was Westbrook’s 10th triple-double of the season making him the second-fastest to 10 triple-doubles behind only Oscar Robertson, who did it in the 1961-1962 season.

YGTMYFT

“You’ve Got To Make Your Free Throws.” The Thunder has struggled at the free throw line in a number of games this season, seeing a steep drop in percentage of makes after losing some solid free throw shooters in the offseason. Tonight’s 13/26 effort was the worst percentage of the season for Oklahoma City and the seventh time this season the team shot below 70%. Surprisingly, the Thunder has won five of those games, including tonight, but poor free throw shooting is a trend that needs to change immediately. Before long, Oklahoma City could find themselves on the losing end of some close games if they do not improve at the charity stripe.

Thunder Head to Atlanta

Tomorrow, Oklahoma City will play the second game of a back-to-back in Atlanta against the Hawks. The Thunder will tip-off at 6:30 PM and will be televised on FSOK. It will also be broadcast on the radio at WWLS 98.1 FM.

Article written by Zack Low. Follow @TheThunderGuys on Twitter and Instagram.