NBA roundup: Russell Westbrook gives the Thunder a lift

Russell Westbrook scored 45 points to help the host Oklahoma City Thunder beat the short-hand-ed Dallas Mavericks, 109-98, on Thursday night.

Harrison Barnes scored 31 points for the Mavericks, who were without four of their top five scorers, including Wesley Matthews (hip strain). Dallas cut an Oklahoma City lead to three points in the fourth quarter, but Westbrook scored 17 points in the period to put the game out of reach.

Thunder forward Enes Kanter is out indefinitely after he broke his right forearm punching a chair during the game.

Indiana 109, at Minnesota 103: Paul George scored 32 points and the Pacers ended a three-game losing streak, shooting 52%. Karl-Anthony Towns had 33 points and 10 rebounds for the Timberwolves, who reduced a deficit to 96-90 in the fourth quarter. But the Pacers’ Jeff Teague and C.J. Miles each hit three-pointers down the stretch.

at Denver 127, Phoenix 120: Nikola Jokic had 27 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists before leaving because of a hip strain, and the Nuggets staved off the Suns. Phoenix’s Eric Bledsoe scored 28.

at Utah 96, Lakers 88