The 3 plays from Russell Westbrook's historic triple-double that everybody will be talking about

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March 30, 2017 12:12 PM

Thursday's top plays are from Russell Westbrook's historic triple-double.

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Good morning! On Wednesday night, Russell Westbrook helped the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Orlando Magic, 114-106, in overtime with his 38th triple-double of the season. Westbrook scored 57 points, and he added 13 rebounds and 11 assists. It was Westbrook's second 50-point triple-double of the season, and the 57 points were an NBA record for the most points scored in a triple-double.

Here are the three plays everybody will be talking about:

The comeback dunk. The Thunder trailed the Magic by 21 points with about five minutes to go in the third quarter. It was about two minutes later when one could get a sense that the comeback was on. After having already cut the lead to 15, Westbrook took off like the Roadrunner and threw down one of his one-man-army dunks. Game on.

The tying 3-pointer. With under 14 seconds to go in regulation, the Thunder still trailed by two. They caught a break when Nikola Vucevic missed the second of two free throws, keeping it a one-possession game. Westbrook brought the ball up the court, and the entire arena knew he was going to take a three. The Magic knew this also and double-teamed him almost as soon as he crossed midcourt. It didn't matter. Swish.

Look at where Westbrook is on the court and where the defenders are. Few would have the courage to take this shot. Even fewer would make it.

The M-V-P chant. How impressed were the Orlando fans with Westbrook's performance? With the game in overtime and the home team still very much in it, Westbrook drove to the lane, executed a gorgeous spin move, made the basket, and drew a foul from Elfrid Payton. That's when the crowd — a road crowd for Westbrook — started chanting "M-V-P! M-V-P!" They might be right.

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