OKLAHOMA CITY -- Not much about Oklahoma City point guard Russell Westbrook goes unnoticed. Marco Verratti Paris Saint-Germain Jersey . 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. Giovani Lo Celso Paris Saint-Germain Jersey .com) - Tonight will go a long way in determining the two wild card spots in the Eastern Conference. Giovani Lo Celso Jersey . In Europe, top teams seem to be largely happy with their squads after spending nearly $1 billion in the off-season. And although English league clubs are unlikely to splash cash in January, Arsenal and Chelsea could be tempted to strengthen their squads with new strikers. http://www.parissaintgermainfcstore.com/Women-Presnel-Kimpembe-Paris-Saint-Germain-Jersey/ . Its the second time this season that Milan has been sanctioned by the league judge, after fans also subjected Napoli supporters to discriminatory chants. The ban will come into effect for Milans next match, against Udinese on Oct.TSN’s Three Man Weave reach out east to the Maritimes for assistance this week, as they discuss the Raptors surging on without DeMar DeRozan, Sacramento, and top point guards. All that and more, as hosts of TSN 1050s 1 On 1 With Will & Duane, Will Strickland and Duane Watson are joined by HoopHeadsNorth.com’s Editor and Main Contributor Sean Francois all the way from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Can the Toronto Raptors continue to win a high percentage of their games while DeMar DeRozan is out of the lineup? Strickland: Absolutely. They are not leading the Eastern Conference by accident or default. After the loss of DeRozan, the ships been buoyed by early season MVP candidate Kyle Lowry, bona fide Sixth Man of the Year contender Lou Williams and a young big man who seems to be turning the corner on consistency and asserting himself every night in Jonas Valanciunas. The results have come by hard work, team-first attitude, solid leadership, some luck and a sturdy Next Man Up mentality while their All-Star rehabs to get back into the fold and help his team. Francois: The Toronto Raptors are in a position to win while DeMar DeRozan is out of the lineup, but the percentage of wins depends on how effective the current rotation can be. Can Landry Fields continue to give them solid minutes? Will Jonas Valanciunas keep giving them that strong double-double play he has of late? Can Terrence Ross continue to take his offensive game to the next level in DeMars absence? These are some of the things the Raptors will need to continue if they want to remain at the top of the Eastern Conference standings. This upcoming stretch of games will be a true test for Toronto, as seven of their next eight games are on the road facing some elite Western and Eastern Conference competition. Watson: The foundation of this ball club is team first, so the Raptors’ loss of DeRozan isn’t felt as much as the loss of a player like Kevin Durant to OKC. Granted, he is the team’s leading scorer and amongst the top in the league in getting to the free throw line, but the Raptors depth and balance keep them going. Landry Fields insertion into the starting line-up allows the bench core to stay intact, which is the key edge this team has over the majority of the league. They haven’t floundered in his absence and will continue to hold it down until his return. Are serious/long term injuries becoming more prevalent in the NBA in recent years (Rose, Kobe, Parker & Randle), or does it simply just appear that way? Strickland: Objects in mirror may be closer than they actually are... or not. Many a star has been clipped before reaching their athletic primes, robbing fans and the game alike of incredible performers and potential greatness. From Bill Walton to Penny Hardaway, serious injuries are and have always been a part of the game. Are these injuries more prevalent now because of immediate access of social media, better medicine and medical rehabilitation techniques, more money and less insistence that players get back on the floor sooner than later? There could be myriad reasons upon which much speculation can be had. The success is and will be in how guys like the recently re-injured Kevin Durant, Jabari Parker and the like recover and respond. Francois: Injuries, especially ACL tears, seem to be happening more often in the NBA. Sports science and athlete training regimens are at an all-time high with regards to the level of sophistication and production through strength training and the research behind it. Despite the advancements, the human body is still susceptible to the same potential damage of ligaments, muscles, tendons, and bones through rigorous activity, being overworked, and sometimes over-compensating. The demands of a professional athlete and the practice routines are also at all-time highs. Neither Derrick Rose nor Kobe Bryant suffered major injuries at any point in their amateur or professional careers prior to their relatively recent injuries in the NBA, but due to the demands placed on athletes bodies in training, practice, and games, sports injuries are seemingly becoming more frequent. Watson: It’s a little of both, but they don’t make them like they used to. Another factor to consider is that players are entering a physically demanding game at a young age, and some of their bodies haven’t fully developed. In addition have they developed the habits and discipline of taking care of their bodies at a young age? Of course, some things just happen, but this era of medicine and training to repair and rehab makes these injuries less career threatening than in the past. With the surprising news that Sacramento Kings fired head coach Michael Malone this week, will Tyrone Corbin keep tthe coaching gig, or will they find someone else to fit their vision? Strickland: While the move to relieve Mike Malone of his coaching duties seemed sudden and abrupt, reports of a fissure up top between Malone and a very aggressive and perhaps out-of-his-depth owner in Vivek Ranadive were more surprising. Alphonse Areola Jersey. Despite what looked to be a growing trust between Malone and his top star, DeMarcus Amir Cousins, its hard to believe he didnt want the Kings front office to extend Boogies contract or that of Rudy Gay. Grand Opening. Grand Closing. With Ranadive looking for an offensive minded jazz director, lets be clear that former Utah Jazz bench boss Tyrone Corbin is merely a seat-filler for Mark Jackson, George Karl or Chris Mullin to conduct Sacramentos starting quintet and their accompaniment in the near future. Francois: I will be surprised in Tyrone Corbin keeps the Kings head coaching job long term. With the up-tempo offence that the Kings management seems to want to implement, a name like Mike DAntoni comes to mind as a possible long-term replacement. On the other hand, given how quickly Michael Malone was relieved of his head coaching duties, I suspect there will be a carousel of coaches until Kings management find a coach who is willing to concede to any and all management wishes regarding style of play. Managements level of involvement in how the coaching staff operates is a fine line, and the Kings ownership and management need to pay close attention to that going forward. Watson: After hiring Malone in the summer - before hiring a General Manager and firing him this early in the season - Kings owner Vivek Ranadive is slowly evolving into the Indian James Dolan. Ranadive has said he believes Corbin “can take this team to the playoffs,” but he spoke glowingly about Malone as well. There are far more experienced coaches available and someone who will bend to ownership’s desires. Corbin is living on borrowed time. The early season MVP race is full of point guards. Who are the Top Five PGs in The Association right now? Strickland: After what could be a shape shifting move of Seismic proportion with the trade of Rajon Rondo to the Dallas Mavericks, there are absolutely no nights off in the West for point guards. Its no cakewalk in the East, either. Respect due to the aforementioned Rondo as well as Tony Parker, Chris Paul, Derrick Rose, Ty Lawson and Damian Lillard, but the Top Five floor generals in the Association currently are Steph Curry, Russell Westbrook, John Wall, Kyle Lowry and Mike Conley. Francois: In my opinion, the Top Five point guards in the NBA right now are: 1) Stephen Curry 2) John Wall 3) Chris Paul 4) Damian Lillard 5) Russell Westbrook Watson: My top five offence initiators right now, are Stephen Curry, Kyle Lowry, John Wall, Russell Westbrook and Tony Parker. The Atlanta Hawks: Are They For Real? Strickland: Indeed. Spurs East Lite. While they are still perhaps one quality big man back-up and shooter off the bench away, former San Antonio assistant Mike Budenholzer helms a club of solid, unselfish veteran players who lead the NBA in assists. The return of former All-Star centre, the multi-talented Al Horford, bolsters a squad with an 18-7 record, only 1.5 games behind the Eastern Conference-leading Toronto Raptors. The Hawks also sport an All-Star power forward currently third in steals as well as being the best deal in the NBA in one Paul Milsap. Throw in underrated glue guys in DeMarre Carroll and Thabo Sefalosha, improving youngsters Dennis Schroder and Shelvin Mark, marksmen Kyle Korver and Mike Scott and, of course, the movie 300s Leonidas stunt double, Pero Antic. THIS IS ATLANTA!!! Francois: The Atlanta Hawks are for real in the Eastern Conference. They have a handful of impressive wins against Eastern Conference opponents, but the majority of those games have been ones the Hawks expect to win. To this point, the Hawks have only played one elite Western Conference team, the Spurs, and the Hawks lost in a tight road game (94-92). I dont believe well be able to get a feel for what this Atlanta team is all about until they have played some higher-level competition, which they have coming up over the next couple of weeks. Watson: Over their last 15 games, the Hawks have gone 13-2, defeating Cleveland, Chicago, Washington, New Orleans and Denver, among others. They are for real and a team in the East not to be taken lightly. Atlanta is a top-10 defensive squad, yet are eloquent on offence, moving the ball with precision where they rank second in the league in assists. Don’t sleep on them. Follow them on twitter: Will Strickland @WallStrizzle1, Duane Watson @duanewatson and Sean Francois @seanfrancois Cheap Canadiens Jerseys Cheap Predators Jerseys Cheap Devils Jerseys Cheap Islanders Jerseys Cheap Rangers Jerseys Cheap Senators Jerseys Cheap Flyers Jerseys Cheap Penguins Jerseys Cheap Sharks Jerseys Cheap Blues Jerseys Cheap Lightning Jerseys Cheap Maple Leafs Jerseys Cheap Canucks Jerseys Cheap Golden Knights Jerseys Cheap Capitals Jerseys Cheap Winnipeg Jets Jerseys ' ' '