Westbrook, New Guys Sting Hornets, Nuggets Next

By Randy Renner

Russell Westbrook again did what we've become accustomed to, dominate the game, score 33 points and hand out 10 assists all without the help of Kevin Durant who sat out against the Hornets with soreness in his right foot.

The Thunder's newest players, with the team only a matter of hours, seemed comfortable and capable in helping lead OKC to a 110-103 win in Charlotte, the Thunder's fifth straight victory.

Enes Kanter started at center and had a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds, Kyle Singler started in place of Durant at small forward and knocked down a couple of threes, D.J. Augustin handled the second unit point guard duties smoothly. He dropped in 12 points, nailed a couple of open threes and handed out three assists. Steve Novak didn't see action.

Augustin's biggest basket came when Brook's put him at shooting guard, a position he hadn't played since his rookie season, and he hit a dagger three on a dish from Westbrook in the last two minutes of the game. 

"My job as point guard is to find open guys," Westbrook said afterwards, "and obviously DJ's a guy who can hit open shots."

The Thunder also got a double-double from Serge Ibaka (16 points, 12 rebounds) and a near double-double from Mitch McGary (nine points, 10 rebounds). 

The Thunder will be right back at it tonight, back home against the Denver Nuggets who are struggling and a team the Thunder should be able to beat at home even if Durant is rested again, which seems like a good idea at this point.