Buckie Got It

International Sports, Sports

Russell Westbrook Makes NBA History With Triple-Double High Score

Russell Westbrook punches in highest-scoring triple-double in NBA history

NBA.com Staff

Mar 29, 2017 10:26 PM ET

In the chase to pass Oscar Robertson’s triple-double legacy, Russell Westbrook left a record-breaking footprint along the way on Wednesday night at Orlando.

Oklahoma City’s MVP candidate staked yet another claim to the league’s highest individual honor with the highest-scoring triple-double of all time, finishing with 57 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists in the Thunder’s 114-106 victory over the Magic.

Westbrook, who is closing in on joining Robertson as the only players in league history to average a triple-double for an entire season, is now tied with James Harden and Hall-of-Famers Wilt Chamberlain and Elgin Baylor for most 50-point triple-doubles in a career (two apiece).

His scoring output in this particular effort sets him atop the all-time list, surpassing James Harden and Wilt Chamberlain’s respective 53-point triple-doubles. Harden’s occurred on Dec. 31, 2016, while Chamberlain’s original record-holding performance took place on March 18, 1968.

The highlight of Westbrook’s night occurred in the closing seconds of regulation, when the 6-3 guard stopped on a dime and, rising about two defenders, canned a 31-foot three-pointer that tied the game and put him at the 50-point plateau.

Westbrook accounted for 16 points, seven rebounds and three assists during the fourth quarter and overtime. He now has 38 triple-doubles on the season, just three shy of Robertson’s all-time single season record of 41. The Thunder (43-31) have eight regular season games remaining.

International Sports, Local Sports, Regional Sports, Sports

REPUBLIC BANK SIGNS A 3-YEAR DEAL WITH HERO CPL

Published 24 March 2017

Republic Bank signs new 3-year deal with Hero CPL

The Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and Republic Bank have jointly announced the signing of a three-year contract extension to continue as the tournament’s Official Bank Partner until the end of the 2020 campaign.

Headquartered in Trinidad, Republic Bank has sponsored the Hero CPL for the last two seasons and is expanding its role in the region’s largest sports-entertainment event in line with the vision to be the region’s leading bank. As part of the arrangement all CPL banking activity will move to the bank who will assist in helping navigate the inter-island challenges that many Caribbean businesses face.

On May 15 this year Republic Bank will mark its 180^th year of operations, which is testament to its innovation, leadership and great standing across Caribbean society. As part of this new deal, fans of the Hero CPL will avail of special offers and exciting competitions to further extend the strong links across the local communities.

International Sports, Local Sports, Sports

CPL PLAYER DRAFT 2017 ANALYSIS BY TOM MOODY

Published 24 March 2017

CPL Draft Analysis 2017

TEAM – St Kitts & Nevis Patriots

Star Player to watch out for: Chris Morris

Value: 130k

Pick analysis: Morris is a genuine match winner, bowls with good pace and has the ability to strike in the power play overs. With the bat he has the power and skill to change the course of the game.

Value Player to watch out for: Sheldon Cotterell

Value: 7.5k

Player analysis: Consistent performer with the new ball, being a left-arm quick that can swing it he presents a challenge to any top order.

Summary – With the off-season signing of Chris Gayle, the Patriots overnight look like title challengers. Along with Gayle there has been some very shrewd signings with a real all-round look to it. Ben Cutting, Chris Morris and Mohammad Nabi provide a diverse range of skills, which will prove formidable. The prospect of the Gayle/Lewis combination at the top of the order followed by the power all-rounders in the middle could well post some big totals this year. The attack will be challenging for most with the clever and skillful combination of Badree and Shamsi.

International Sports, Sports

Shootaround (March 20) — Damian Lillard puts playoff hopes on his shoulders Plus, some more bad blood between the Thunder and Warriors, LeBron on resting stars and more

Shootaround (March 20) — Damian Lillard puts playoff hopes on his shoulders

Plus, some more bad blood between the Thunder and Warriors, LeBron on resting stars and more

NBA.com Staff

Mar 20, 2017 7:55 AM ET

Damian Lillard has been in a zone since the All-Star break.

No. 1: Lillard keeps Trail Blazers focused on playoff mission — As long as Damian Lillard is uniform and breathing, the Portland Trail Blazers don’t have to worry about their focus down the stretch of this NBA season. The star point guard has one task and one task only on his mind these days, and that’s doing whatever is possible to get his team into playoffs. Joe Freeman of The Oregonian has more:

“The playoffs are the most fun part of the season,” Lillard said. “And I’m not trying to miss that. I talked to Tim Quarterman (Saturday) night, I told him, ‘Man, the playoffs are crazy. And I want you to be able to experience that.’ It’s something that we want to be a part of.”

International Sports, Sports

AP Source: Omri Casspi agrees to terms with Minnesota Timberwolves

Jon Krawczynski | The Associated Press

March 19, 2017 6:18 PM ET

The short-handed Minnesota Timberwolves were in desperate need of a versatile forward to help make up for an injury to key role player Nemanja Bjelica.

As luck would have it, a replacement was waiting right there for them when they arrived in New Orleans to play the Pelicans this weekend.

The Timberwolves agreed to terms with free-agent forward Omri Casspi on Sunday, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press. The deal will cover the remainder of the season and does not carry over into next season, according to the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because the team has not officially announced the deal.

The Wolves arrived in New Orleans on Saturday to finish a three-game road trip. Casspi accompanied DeMarcus Cousins from Sacramento to New Orleans in the blockbuster trade just before the deadline. But he suffered a broken right thumb in his first game with the Pelicans, who were forced to cut him to add another healthy body to the mix as they tried to chase down a playoff spot.

But Casspi’s injury started to heal more quickly than initially anticipated, and the veteran forward met with Timberwolves coach Tom Thibodeau in New Orleans as several other teams also inquired. The plan was for Casspi to accompany the Timberwolves on the team flight back to Minnesota and finalize the contract on Monday.

The Wolves started the day 4 1/2 games behind Denver for the eighth seed in the Western Conference. The odds got even longer when Bjelica suffered a season-ending left foot injury in Boston last week. The Wolves looked tired in a loss at Miami on Friday night, and Casspi should be able to give them some much-needed minutes off the bench for a team that has given its starters heavy playing time all season long.

The 6-foot-9 Casspi can play small forward and power forward and is a career 37-percent shooter from 3-point range, which should help them atone for Bjelica’s absence. Bjelica had been playing very well over the last month before he was injured, giving the Wolves rebounding, shot-making and some defense at power forward.

ESPN first reported discussions between the Wolves and Casspi.