OKLAHOMA CITY -- Not much about Oklahoma City point guard Russell Westbrook goes unnoticed. In the past week, while much of the NBA has focused on Kevin Durants run at a possible first MVP award, Westbrook quietly has been the Thunders most productive and efficient offensive player. Westbrook turned in another gem on Friday, finishing with 24 points and seven assists in just 28 minutes to help Oklahoma City beat the short-handed New Orleans Pelicans 116-94 on Friday night. Oklahoma City won its third straight and clinched the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference playoffs. Westbrook has been sitting in one game of back-to-backs, so he has played in just four of Oklahoma Citys past six games. In those four games, he is averaging 28.5 points, 6.8 assists and 5.3 rebounds while shooting 51 per cent from the field. "Hes well rested and hes taking advantage of a lot of matchups," Durant, who led the Thunder with 27 points against New Orleans, said. "Thats what we need from him. Hes playing extremely well. Hes picking and choosing his spots well. Hes playing with a lot of intensity for us." Westbrook said moving in and out of the lineup hasnt slowed him down. "My job is to always stay confident, regardless of if Im playing or if Im missing games," he said. "Just come out with a positive mindset and try to keep going." Serge Ibaka added 16 points, 10 rebounds and a season-high eight blocks for the Thunder. "It seemed like he had 10 or 11 blocks," Durant said. "He was protecting the paint. He was there on pick and rolls. He was there all night." The Thunder shot 54 from the field, made 23 of 27 free throws and committed just 11 turnovers. Oklahoma City led by 25 points at the end of the third quarter, so Durant and Westbrook rested in the fourth. Oklahoma City outscored New Orleans 28-0 in fast-break points. "They were able to steal a lot of buckets in transition," New Orleans guard Austin Rivers said. "I felt like every time we made one mistake, I felt like they capitalized on it, where when we got one, we werent able to." Darius Miller scored a career-high 18 points and Rivers had 18 points and eight rebounds for the Pelicans. New Orleans was without injured starters Anthony Davis (back) and Eric Gordon (left knee tendinitis). "Our guys, they just scrapped and clawed and tried to do what they can to help their teammates," New Orleans coach Monty Williams said. "Its a tough situation playing against a good team." The Thunder took advantage of New Orleans depleted lineup by taking a 30-23 lead at the end of the first quarter. Oklahoma Citys reserves helped the Thunder push the lead to 44-27. New Orleans went on an 11-0 run before Derek Fisher scored for the Thunder. On Oklahoma Citys next possession, Durant sent a nice pass to a running Ibaka, who dunked to put the Thunder up by 10. Durants jumper with three seconds left in the first half put the Thunder up 60-47 at the break. Westbrook scored 16 points in the first half on just 10 shots, while Durant and Ibaka added 12 points apiece. Midway through the third quarter, Rivers got ahead of the pack for what looked like an easy basket. Ibaka caught up with him and pinned his shot on the glass, then Durant dunked on the other end to give the Thunder a 75-56 lead. "Hes fast enough to keep up with guards," Rivers said of Ibaka. "When you have a 7-foot guy who can jump, running on a fast break on defence, its hard to get to the basket. Their defence is all on him. Without Ibaka, this is a whole different team." NOTES: Oklahoma City started its preferred lineup of Durant, Westbrook, Ibaka, Kendrick Perkins and Thabo Sefolosha for just the 22nd time this season. Oklahoma City has played nine starting lineups. ... Durant was presented the Western Conference Player of the Month award for March before the game. He has won four out of five months. ... Rivers got his first start of the season, and New Orleans rookie F Jeff Withey got his second. ... New Orleans G Brian Roberts left the game with a left ankle injury and did not return. ... New Orleans G Tyreke Evans left the game with a right knee bone bruise and did not return. ... Perkins, Durant and Westbrook were issued technical fouls in the third quarter. Durant picked up his 15th of the season. Cheap Basketball College Jerseys . "That was a great lift for the staff," Padres manager Bud Black said. Yonder Alonso and Yasmani Grandal homered, and Chase Headley drove in three runs, as the Padres beat the Chicago Cubs 11-1 on Friday night. Wholesale NCAA Jerseys .ca. Hi Kerry, Love reading your column and loved watching your analysis on the TSN broadcasts!And were now in Round 2! Bruins! Canadiens! We know all about the great games of the past from the players, the broadcasters and the writers. https://www.chinajerseysncaa.us/.m. on Friday. 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The stakes were higher, the competition more fierce and the atmosphere was that of a playoff game - something the young, upstart Raptors have five weeks to better prepare themselves for or the result will be eerily similar.Auburn Hills, MI (SportsNetwork.com) - Kentavious Caldwell-Pope had 19 points and five rebounds in the Detroit Pistons 98-95 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday. Brandon Jennings added 15 points, six assists and two steals for the Pistons, who have won two in a row. Josh Smith and Caron Butler each tallied 14 points and Andre Drummond donated 11 points and 10 rebounds. He didnt really get an opportunity last year to play and be able to get a feel for the game, said Smith of Caldwell-Pope. This year, it all started with Summer League this summer. He has more confidence knowing he can come in and be affective. When he plays under control hes a good two guard to watch and his futures very bright and his work ethic is strong. Jabari Parker ended with 18 points, five boards and three steals for the Bucks, who have lost two straight. Brandon Knight had 17 points, nine assists and six rebounds. It wasnt enough. Id rather take a game where I score four points and we win the game, said Parker. Its just all about winning. I didnt do enough. Its jusst about how you finish more than you start.dddddddddddd Smiths layup gave the Pistons a 97-93 lead with 15.1 seconds to play, then clinched the game with a steal of Knight. Butler went 1-of-2 from the line to put the game out of reach. The Pistons led for the entire first half and took a 51-44 margin into the locker room. Trailing 61-54 with 5:35 left in the third quarter, the Bucks went on a 14-2 run. Knight tallied seven points during the surge, including a 3-pointer with 2:47 remaining to make it 68-63 Milwaukee. But Jennings responded with consecutive 3-pointers to give Detroit the lead back. The Pistons took a 76-72 edge into the fourth. Giannis Anteokoumpos slam and Parkers layup pulled Milwaukee within 90-87 with 2:49 left, but Caldwell-Pope answered with a 3-pointer and the Pistons held on. Game Notes Detroit went 11-of-23 from 3-point range ... The Pistons turned the ball over 19 times ... The Bucks host the Grizzlies on Saturday, while Detroit welcomes the Jazz to town on Sunday. ' ' '