Russell Westbrook scored his 4,000th career point as he helped Oklahoma City notch a 104-94 NBA victory over Detroit.
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| Russell Westbrook, pictured at the All-Star Saturday Night last month. |
Westbrook joined an elite group along with Oscar Robertson, LeBron James, Chris Paul and Anfernee Hardaway as the only players in NBA history to have 4,000 points, 1,500 assists and 1,000 rebounds in their first three years.
He finished with 13 points and 11 assists -- his 30th double-double of the season.
Kevin Durant scored 24 points and James Harden chipped in 22 off the bench for Oklahoma City, who took the lead shortly before half-time and held off Detroit\'s late challenge.
Richard Hamilton had his second straight 20-point game for Detroit, Rodney Stuckey scored 16 and Greg Monroe added 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Since Jeff Green was traded to Boston, Harden has emerged as Oklahoma City\'s third scoring threat.
Prior to the All-Star break he was averaging 10.3 points, but is averaging 17.7 per game in 10 games since.
"Losing Jeff, you lose 15 points, you lose more rebounds, just more playmaking ability," said Harden, who was the third selection in the 2009 draft. "I had to step my game up and just help the team."
Harden\'s recent performance has boosted Oklahoma City, despite injuries to the players they acquired from Boston in the trade for Green -- Kendrick Perkins and Nate Robinson.
"Harden is one of those assassins that just doesn\'t need much of a chance to knock it down," Pistons coach John Kuester said.
Durant said Harden is just what the Thunder need from their bench.
"When he comes off that bench, we look for him. He\'s one of our main options on the offensive end. He\'s a great scorer."
