Russell Westbrook is making a number of Oklahoma City Thunder forget about the injury to Kevin Durant as he continues to build his resume for MVP. The point guard is coming off another monster game notching four straight triple doubles as the team climbs the ranks in the Western Conference. The Chicago Bulls are wishing they had that type of power as they continue to rely on depth to help get past injuries to Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler.
Westbrook is the hottest player in the NBA right now. In his last four games he is averaging 37.0 points, 13.5 rebounds and 10.5 assists. He is the first player to get four straight triple doubles since Michael Jordan did so with seven in a row back in 1988-89. As a result, the Thunder have won their last nine of 11 games. They got an overtime win against the Philadelphia Eagles on Wednesday night, putting up a career high 49 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists.
The Thunder need Westbrook as Durant is expected to remain sidelined for at least another week with a foot injury. The point guard got an injury scare himself with a broken bone in his right cheek, but is wearing a protective mask to help. Oklahoma City is currently sitting in the eighth spot in the Western Conference, just one game ahead of the New Orleans Pelicans.
Now, the Thunder faces a Bulls team facing several injuries once again. The team was forced to use its 19th different lineup in the Tuesday win over the Washington Wizards. Rose continues to sit out after knee surgery. Butler is out with a left elbow injury. Taj Gibson is nursing an ankle issue. That has forced players like Nikola Mirotic to step up, getting 23 points against the Wizards. Aaron Brooks also looked sharp with 22 points. Without Gibson, Mirotic is putting up 52 points on 47.2 percent shooting with 17 rebounds in the two games the forward has missed. The Bulls still sit in playoff position, but need a lot of work in order to maintain it.
