On a night he tied the NBA record for most-triple doubles all-time, Russell Westbrook took matters in his own hand to insure the Washington Wizards’ win over the Indiana Pacers.
It a pivotal battle between the ninth and 10th seeded teams currently in the Eastern Conference, it was two clutch plays by Westbrook that gave the Wizards the 133-132 overtime win.
First Westbrook setup the Wizards’ win, drawing a shooting foul on Caris LeVert on a fadeaway attempt with one second remaining. Trailing by one, Westbrook made both free throws put Washington ahead. He finished the game 8-of-9 from the free throw line.
Fresh off a timeout, the Pacers seemingly had a perfect play drew for LeVert. However, his buzzer-beating three attempt was blocked by Westbrook as the buzzer sounded.
The win is the Wizards 15th in their last 19 games. Washington propels over the Pacers for ninth in the Eastern Conference by a 1/2 of game.
Westbrook finished with 33 points, 19 rebounds and 15 assists for his 181st career triple-double. He now is tied with the legendary Oscar Robertson for most triple-doubles in NBA history. He also had a pair a blocks. The second being a game-sealing block.
Bradley Beal led all scorers with 50 points on 19-of-31 shooting from the field and 9-of-11 from the charity stripe. LeVert led the Pacers with 35 points, adding 14 rebounds and eight assists. Meanwhile, Pacers forward Domantas Sabonis finished 30 points, 13 rebounds and 13 assists for a triple-double of his own in a losing effort.
