Thunder (7-5), Pelicans (1-11)
OKLAHOMA CITY – Many probably expected a beatdown of epic proportions Wednesday, when the severely undermanned New Orleans Pelicans visited Oklahoma City and prolific guard Russell Westbrook, but as often happens in sports, the result didn’t quite match the projection. New Orleans stood toe-to-toe with OKC for three-plus quarters, trailing by only three points with 3:24 remaining, before the hosts staved off the Pelicans late. As has often been the case in recent seasons, Westbrook compiled a huge individual performance vs. New Orleans, piling up 43 points, nine rebounds and eight assists, enabling the Thunder to prevail without the services of 2013-14 league MVP Kevin Durant.