Pro Sports

Westbrook, Adams power Thunder past Timberwolves 112-94

Posted October 16, 2016 7:00 am

By CLIFF BRUNT

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook, left, shouts after scoring in the first quarter of an NBA basketball preseason game against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Oklahoma City, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016. Timberwolves Nemanja Bjelica (88) is at rear. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) The Associated Press

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Russell Westbrook's fans finally got to show their appreciation for his loyalty to the Thunder.

Westbrook had 26 points and 10 assists to help Oklahoma City beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 112-94 on Sunday night. It was Oklahoma City's first home preseason game after opening with two games in Spain, then playing in Dallas and Tulsa. Oklahoma City's crowd cheered loudly when Westbrook was the first player announced during pregame introductions, in part, because the former scoring champion and two-time All-Star MVP re-signed with Oklahoma City after Kevin Durant chose to leave for Golden State.

Westbrook was more concerned about the way the Thunder played.

"We are getting into the flow of things, trying to figure out different things we can use," he said. "It was good."

Westbrook fired up the crowd when he got one of his typical blow-by layups in the first quarter and was fouled. He got the arena energized again when he uncorked a highlight-reel one-handed dunk in the third quarter.

Steven Adams scored 14 of his 20 points in the first half as Westbrook constantly looked for him. Victor Oladipo scored 11 points and Enes Kanter added 10 points and eight rebounds. The Thunder (2-3) will host Denver on Tuesday.

Thunder guard Anthony Morrow was not with the team because he was awaiting the birth of his twin sons. Thunder guard Alex Abrines left the game with a right hip contusion and did not return.

The Timberwolves played at Miami on Saturday, so Andrew Wiggins, Ricky Rubio, Karl-Anthony Towns and Zach LaVine were among those who rested Sunday.

John Lucas III scored 18 points and Adreian Payne added 16 for Minnesota (3-2). The Timberwolves host Memphis on Wednesday.

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HAWKS 105, MAGIC 98

ORLANDO, Fla. - Paul Millsap and Tim Hardaway Jr. each scored 19 points to lead the Hawks.

Millsap made 7 of 12 shots and had nine rebounds and seven assists for the Hawks (3-2).

Serge Ibaka scored 25 points and Evan Fournier added 22 for the Magic (1-4)

HAWKS: Thabo Sefolosha scored 15 points and made 3 of 4 3-pointers. ... The Hawks shot just 40.9 percent from the field but made 23 of 27 free throws. ... Rookie Taurean Prince scored 13 points in 27 minutes.

MAGIC: Ibaka, in a more significant offensive role in Orlando after having played with Durant and Westbrook in Oklahoma City, made 9 of 15 shots. He had 19 points and 17 rebounds Friday against Indiana. ... Bismack Biyombo had 19 rebounds. ... Orlando made just 12 of 24 free throws. Biyombo connected on just 3 of 10.

UP NEXT: The Hawks host New Orleans on Tuesday. The Magic play at the Heat on Tuesday.

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NUGGETS 106, TRAIL BLAZERS 97

PORTLAND, Ore. - Wilson Chandler scored 18 points and Will Barton had 17 to lead Denver/

Chandler made 4 of 5 3-pointers and Jusuf Nurkic had 13 points and nine rebounds for Denver (3-3).

C.J. McCollum scored 20 points and Al-Faroug Aminu added 18 for the Trail Blazers (3-2). Damian Lillard scored four points on 1-for-10 shooting.

NUGGETS: Jamal Murray scored 15 points. .. The Nuggets shot better from 3-point range (46.2 percent) than overall (45.1). ... The Nuggets made just 20 of 33 free throws.

TRAIL BLAZERS: Aminu made 5 of 7 3-pointers. ... Noah Vonleh had 10 rebounds. ... Portland shot 39.8 percent.

UP NEXT: The Nuggets play at the Thunder on Tuesday, while the Trail Blazers play at the Jazz on Wednesday.

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Follow Cliff Brunt on Twitter @CliffBruntAP

Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap, front, is fouled by Orlando Magic center Arinze Onuaku (21) while going up to shoot during the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack) The Associated Press

Orlando Magic forward Bismack Biyombo (11) goes up to shoot in front of Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap, left, and Thabo Sefolosha (25) during the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack) The Associated Press

Orlando Magic forward Bismack Biyombo (11) is fouled by Atlanta Hawks forward Kris Humphries, right, while driving to the basket as Hawks guard Josh Magette (7) and forward Mike Scott (32) also help defend during the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack) The Associated Press

Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier, center, drives to the basket between Atlanta Hawks forward DeAndre' Bembry (95) and Paul Millsap, right, during the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack) The Associated Press

Orlando Magic guard D.J. Augustin (14) and Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap, right, collide while going for the ball as Hawks forward Kris Humphries (43) watches during the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack) The Associated Press

Atlanta Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer calls out instructions from the sideline during the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game against the Orlando Magic in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack) The Associated Press

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook, left, shoots over Minnesota Timberwolves forward Nemanja Bjelica (88) in the first quarter of an NBA basketball preseason game in Oklahoma City, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) The Associated Press

Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) knocks the ball away from Minnesota Timberwolves forward Toure' Murry (23) in the second quarter of an NBA basketball preseason game in Oklahoma City, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) The Associated Press

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) grabs a rebound in front of Minnesota Timberwolves center Cole Aldrich, left, and teammate Andre Roberson (21) in the second quarter of an NBA basketball preseason game in Oklahoma City, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) The Associated Press

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