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It was a January game last season, and the Oklahoma City Thunder led the Miami Heat by 23 points midway through the fourth quarter. Russell Westbrook, positioned where many superstar players would be near the end of blowout, was sitting on the bench.There was one problem: Westbrook was three rebounds short of a triple-double.To many watchers surprise, Westbrook popped up and walked over to check back in. He quickly grabbed his three boards, and with the Thunder up 22, they took a timeout and Westbrook sat back down, a 24th career triple-double in hand.In was obvious what had happened, and it wasnt the first time Westbrook had apparently worked for the statistical trinity. A year before, he was on a triple-double roll, but went to the bench with two minutes left in the game, one rebound shy of a triple-double.Tip? he said. Tip?From the bench, he was lobbying the official scorekeeper for an offensive rebound, and after reviewing a replay during a timeout, the scorekeeper obliged, giving him the triple-double before the buzzer sounded. Westbrook denied politicking for it after the game.This season, Westbrook is recording triple-doubles at a historic pace, notching 11 such feats in 22 games, maintaining a current streak of six, and averaging 31 points, 10.9 rebounds and 11.3 assists per game.No politicking or late-game stat-stuffing needed.As is usually the case when anything fun or cool starts happening, skeptics emerge, ready to rain on the history parade. For some, whether its by comparisons or discounting the validity of the numbers, Westbrooks near-nightly showcase inspires more questions than admiration.Is he stat-padding? Chasing rebounds? Hunting assists?Westbrook cares about winning first and foremost, but theres no doubt he pays attention to the triple-doubles. Why wouldnt he? Its an impressive achievement, and one to be proud of. Ricky Davis and Andray Blatche embarrassed themselves just trying to notch one. Westbrook racks them up at will, piling up the stats almost like he cant help it.When he does, the Thunder win. In Westbrooks 48 career triple-doubles, the Thunder are 42-6. In his 11 this season, theyre 9-2. The two losses were a two-point loss to the Orlando Magic on a buzzer-beater and an overtime loss to the Indiana Pacers.Theres also this: Via Nylon Calculus, theres evidence to suggest the Thunders best offense comes from a Westbrook defensive rebound.When Westbrook hauls in a rebound, the Thunders pace cranks up, and the team shoots a higher effective field goal percentage (55.3 percent) than when he doesnt grab the board (50.3). One of the Thunders primary struggles this season is in the half court, but they remain lethal in transition. The Thunders best path to transition is getting the ball in Westbrooks hands as quickly as possible.So Westbrook just cuts out the middle man, sometimes at the expense of his big men. But theyre in on the take.Against the Hawks on Monday, Westbrook undercut Steven Adams for a rebound, with Adams literally pulling his hands back as Westbrook snared it.No one cares. Wed rather it be him [getting the rebound], Adams said. I like it because I can actually box out my dude. Its good that he actually gets to come in and take it. I dont mind it.Both Adams and Enes Kanter have joked about needing to box out Westbrook because hes taking their rebounds. Those are big man stats, and Westbrook, a 6-foot-3 point guard, currently resides first on the team in boards, and ninth overall in the league. The Thunder bigs jab Westbrook about taking their rebounds in the film room, recently noting one where he ripped the ball right out of Joffrey Lauvergnes hands.As long as our team gets a rebound, it doesnt matter, Adams said. Theres just some funny ones that we kind of mock him about.Westbrook rebounding isnt some new development, though. Last season, he was only 2.2 rebounds per game away from averaging a triple-double. He has always ranked among the best in the league from the guard position, but this season, he has taken a statistical leap.What makes him a great rebounder, Billy Donovan said, besides the strength and athleticism, he is great at following the flight of the ball. He understands where its going to go and he gets his speed and quickness and athleticism off the floor and into the game because he knows where the ball is going to go.Westbrooks instincts are particularly spectacular. Like this play and this play. He flows to the rebound, and the Thunder are instantly on the attack.It makes everything faster, Andre Roberson said of Westbrook rebounding.Then theres the fact, as Donovan points out, that opposing guards dont try to rebound against the Thunder much because they fear Westbrook in transition. So that gives him free rein to attack the glass.If that was becoming a trend where guards were offensive rebounding against us, wed pay more attention to that, Donovan said. I think because of the player he is in transition, more teams are sending back three [players].Theres concern about Westbrooks ability to sustain this level of play throughout the season. Hes running a monopoly on the Thunders offense, on pace for the all-time high in usage rate (40.2 percent) while also leading the league in assist rate (54.5).Its an astonishing offensive responsibility, on top of everything else. But Donovan is unconcerned. The Westbrook way since his rookie year is to play every game, regardless of opponent, at the highest level of energy possible.I dont see him playing any differently than the way he played last year, Donovan said. Except hes better.Then theres this: Westbrooks season is a welcome respite and distraction from the events of the summer that saw the franchise turned upside down with the departure of Kevin Durant to the Golden State Warriors. The Thunder arent as good as they were, but Westbrook is still providing every reason to watch. Theyre as must-see as theyve ever been.Westbrooks individual achievement has spilled over to team success, with his teammates feeding off the triple-double run. It has given the Thunder an identity as they rally around their new solitary leader, and Westbrooks nightly commitment is showcased by the numbers he puts up.You want to always appreciate it and not take it for granted, Nick Collison said. It is pretty special. And it would be different if he was out hunting these statistics. Guys can do that. Theres a lot of guys that do that. But hes really not. Hes really just playing the game. And thats whats best about it. NFL Jerseys China . Giroud, who wasnt in the starting lineup for two matches after allegations about his private life and a decline in form, scored twice in the first half. Tomas Rosickys chip made it 3-0 before half time at Emirates Stadium, while defender Laurent Koscielny scored an unmarked header in the second half. Cheap NFL Jerseys China .2 billion agreement with Rogers Communications for the leagues broadcast and multimedia rights. http://www.chinajerseysnflstore.com/ .B. - Sebastien Auger made 44 saves as the Saint John Sea Dogs edged the visiting Acadie-Bathurst Titan 2-1 on Saturday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. Wholesale Jerseys China . That left plenty of energy for pitching books and swatting away free agency questions. 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CLEVELAND -- One game off and few days of rest refreshed the Cavaliers Big 3.LeBron James scored 16 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter, Kyrie Irving matched a career high with 12 assists, Kevin Love scored 27 with 17 rebounds and Cleveland finally put away Los Angeles in the fourth quarter, beating the young Lakers 119-108 on Saturday night.The Cavs were back at full strength after coach Tyronn Lue left James, Love and Irving behind earlier this week for a game in Memphis, a decision that sparked some criticism as fans were denied a chance to see the three stars and Cleveland lost.Irving, who complained of tired legs before a game last week, looked more like himself in his first game since Dec. 10, finishing with 21 points as the Cavs improved to 19-6.It was just a needed rest for me, said Irving, who didnt get a break after Cleveland won the NBA title in June because he played for the U.S. Olympic team. For me, its just about being smart and not running into that wall completely. Im able to push through anything and my mind commands my body at the same time, its still about being smart.James, Irving and Love combined for 74 points, 30 rebounds and 25 assists.James, who missed the end of pregame warmups, national anthem and player introductions before running onto the floor just before the opening tip, took over in the fourth and needs just two points to move past Moses Malone (27,409) for eighth place on the career scoring list.Nick Young made eight 3-pointers and scored a season-high 32 for the Lakers, who snapped an eight-game losing streak on Friday in Philadelphia and were a headache for the defending NBA champions all night.The Lakers were still within 110-105 when James hit a 3-pointer in transition as the Cavs closed with a 10-3 run.Even though we lost, I liked the way we played and what we did, said Julius Randle, who added 16 points. Theyre a championship team, and we were right there with them until the end.Jordan Clarkson scored 20 points and Los Angeles rookie Brandon Ingram missed a triple-double by one point and an assist.Channing Frye and James each hit a 3 to help Cleveland to a 95-86 lead early in the fourth quarter, but the Lakers refused to give in and were right there when James pulled up and knocked down his crucial 3 with 2:32 left.I was just in rhythm in the fourth quarter, James said before explaining his reason for taking a risky shot. Thatts the time when a defense is at its relaxed point, bringing the ball up in transition and they really dont think youre going to take that shot.dddddddddddd I was in a great groove and I felt good when I let it go and I was able to knock it down.RING TIMEBefore receiving his NBA championship ring, Lakers center Timofey Mozgov, who spent 1 1/2 seasons with Cleveland, was mobbed by the Cavaliers at mid-court.I was really proud to be with this team, it was everything I could ask for, said Mozgov, who received a nice ovation from Cleveland fans and visited the Cavs locker room postgame. It was a happy memory, and I was excited all night.HOMECOMINGLakers forward Larry Nance Jr., who grew up outside Cleveland, played in his first regular-season game in his home state. His father, longtime Cavaliers forward Larry Nance, had his No. 22 retired by the franchise.It was really cool playing underneath my dads jersey, said Nance Jr., who scored two points in 27 minutes. I tried to approach it as a regular game, but anytime you play at home, it means a little more.Nance Sr. attended the game.J.R.S SHIRTJ.R. Smith -- known more for the shirts he hasnt worn -- drew attention for his postgame attire. The Cavs guard wore a black T-shirt that read, Cleveland. Its not that bad. Have a beer!TIP-INSLakers: G DAngelo Russell was inactive with a sore left knee that has bothered him most of the season. He scored 15 in Fridays win. ... Coach Luke Walton was an assistant with Golden State last season and said he has yet to watch Clevelands Game 7 win in the NBA Finals. You dont get over losing Game 7, he said. Youre happy for the guys here, but it sticks with you for the rest of your life.Cavaliers: Cleveland has won five straight over the Lakers. ... The Cavs have won 25 of their last 29 at home against Western Conference teams. ... Lue said he and general manager David Griffin are still discussing roster options after C Chris Birdman Andersen sustained a season-ending -- and likely career-ending -- knee injury in practice Friday. The Cavs have been looking to add a backup point guard, but may now also be in the market for a big.UP NEXTLakers: Continue their six-game trip at Charlotte on Tuesday.Cavaliers: At Milwaukee on Tuesday before hosting the Bucks on Wednesday. ' ' '