Page 22 - ARUBA TODAY

A22 SPORTS
Monday 8 april 2019
Westbrook's triple-double lifts Thunder past Wolves 132-126

By PATRICK DONNELLY ting to the rim and finishing, and we did that."
Associated Press it did cause some prob- George scored eight points
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The lems." in the final 40 seconds to
Thunder are tough enough The Thunder built a 115-103 cut Minnesota's lead to 97-
to beat when Russell West- lead, and Minnesota didn't 95 after three.
brook and Paul George get closer than four the rest After scoring 38 points in the
are rolling. But when their of the way. first quarter, Oklahoma City
bench players are locked "Russell got the ball to him closed the game out with a
in, too, Oklahoma City can in areas of the floor where 37-point fourth quarter. It all
be impossible to stop. he can go be who he is," added up to a Thunder vic-
Westbrook and George Thunder coach Billy Dono- tory and another in a long
each scored 27 points and van said. "It's great to have line of disappointing defen-
Dennis Schroder had 14 of a guy like that because he sive performances for the
his 21 in the fourth quarter can generate offense for Timberwolves this season.
in a 132-126 victory over the you by himself." "It wasn't just in the fourth. It
Minnesota Timberwolves The Thunder opened the was throughout the whole
on Sunday. game by making five of game, especially that first
Schroder led a group of their first six shots and led quarter. We've got to get
Thunder reserves that out- by 14 before Minnesota stops," Jones said. "It's al-
scored Minnesota's sec- pushed back and cut the ways frustrating. We're scor-
ond team 44-26, and he deficit to 38-31 after one. ing enough points. We've
changed the game early Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) drives Westbrook and Terrance got to make it tougher for
against Minnesota Timberwolves guard Jared Terrell (3) during
in the fourth quarter by the first half of a NBA basketball game Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Ferguson scored nine teams on the defensive
scoring the final 10 points Minneapolis. apiece as the Thunder shot side of things."
in a 12-0 run that vaulted Associated Press 7 of 13 on 3-point attempts. TIP-INS
the Thunder into a 109-101 Leading 62-60 at halftime, Thunder: The victory helped
lead. ahead of San Antonio for and tied his career high Oklahoma City came out Oklahoma City avoid be-
"He's a starter anywhere seventh place in the West- with 13 assists with zero turn- strong again, making its first ing swept by the Wolves
else," George said of Sch- ern Conference. overs for the Wolves. six shots of the third quarter, this season. Minnesota had
roder, who started the last "That's just what he does," Oklahoma City entered the including a 3-pointer and a won the first three in the se-
two seasons in Atlanta be- said Timberwolves guard fourth quarter trailing 97-95, dunk on consecutive pos- ries this year. ... George has
fore joining the Thunder Josh Okogie, who spent but Schroder quickly took sessions by George. 288 3-pointers this season,
mostly in a reserve role. most of the game guarding over as the Thunder's pick- But Wiggins kept Minne- the fifth highest single-sea-
"He's a big talent. It's a Westbrook. "He has great and-roll offense gave Min- sota afloat by making son total for any player in
pleasure for us, myself es- teammates around him nesota fits. In a four-minute three straight jump shots. NBA history.
pecially as a shooter, to that can make plays. He's span early in the fourth, Then after Towns dunked Timberwolves: Before the
have a guy come in, step a playmaker himself. He's Schroder converted three twice, Saric hit four straight game the Timberwolves
in and lift the group when aggressive, rebounds and drives to the basket, hit two 3-pointers to put Minnesota honored Jones with the Flip
we need baskets the most." can get to the rim." jump shots, and went 4 for 4 on top 89-83. Saunders Legacy Award
Westbrook added 10 re- Karl-Anthony Towns led Min- from the free-throw line. "Some of their shots were for his contributions to the
bounds and 15 assists for nesota with 35 points, while "Russ and George are al- tough ones that were go- community. ... Minnesota
his 32nd triple-double of Andrew Wiggins scored 24 ready a handful," Wiggins ing in," George said. "Those has scored at least 100
the season as the Thunder and Dario Saric added 23. said. "When (Schroder) got kind of shots, you have to points in a team-record 29
remained a half-game Tyus Jones scored 10 points going, a quick guard get- just continue on playing, straight games.q

U.S. women shut out Switzerland

8-0 in pool play at worlds

ferent Americans notched of the last eight, wrap up Republic (six) and Germa-
at least a point. pool play Tuesday against ny (five). Japan has one
Carpenter's goal at 3:41 of Russia. The quarterfinals point and France is winless
the first period was the first are Thursday. in three games.
of three in the first for the "We stuck to our game Trailing 1-0 after one pe-
U.S. The Americans added plan, put a lot of pressure riod, the Swedes got goals
one in the second and fin- on the Swiss back end and from Pernilla Winberg and
ished with four more in the we were rewarded with Melinda Olsson in the
third despite having a goal a win tonight," U.S. coach second. Laura Escudero
Team of USA celebrate a goal during the 2019 IIHF Women's deflected by Annie Pan- Bob Corkum said. "We're scored for the French. Sara
World Championships preliminary match between USA and
Canada in Espoo, Finland, Saturday April 6, 2019. kowski off a shot by Megan going to enjoy some time Grahn stopped 19 of 20
Associated Press Bozek waved off by offi- off tomorrow and be ready shots for the win.
cials. to take on Russia on Tues- Canada, which lost 3-2 to
ESPOO, Finland (AP) — da Kessel scored two goals Maddie Rooney got the day." Janine Alder made the U.S. on Saturday, had
Dani Cameranesi scored apiece as the U.S. remains shutout in her first appear- 49 saves for Switzerland, a day off before back-to-
two goals and had an as- undefeated through three ance this tournament, the only team in Group A back games against Russia
sist as the United States games and atop Group A. though she made only six without a point so far. and Finland. Canada, Fin-
shut out Switzerland 8-0 Alex Carpenter had a goal saves for the U.S. Sweden edged France 2-1 land and Russia were tied
Sunday at the women's and an assist, Hilary Knight The Americans, who have earlier Sunday, moving to with three points each be-
world championship. had a goal and Emily Pfal- won four straight world third in Group B with four hind the Americans with six
Megan Keller and Aman- zer had two assists as 12 dif- championships and seven points behind the Czech atop Group A.q