OKLAHOMA CITY -- Not much about Oklahoma City point guard Russell Westbrook goes unnoticed. In the past week, while much of the NBA has focused on Kevin Durants run at a possible first MVP award, Westbrook quietly has been the Thunders most productive and efficient offensive player. Westbrook turned in another gem on Friday, finishing with 24 points and seven assists in just 28 minutes to help Oklahoma City beat the short-handed New Orleans Pelicans 116-94 on Friday night. Oklahoma City won its third straight and clinched the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference playoffs. Westbrook has been sitting in one game of back-to-backs, so he has played in just four of Oklahoma Citys past six games. In those four games, he is averaging 28.5 points, 6.8 assists and 5.3 rebounds while shooting 51 per cent from the field. "Hes well rested and hes taking advantage of a lot of matchups," Durant, who led the Thunder with 27 points against New Orleans, said. "Thats what we need from him. Hes playing extremely well. Hes picking and choosing his spots well. Hes playing with a lot of intensity for us." Westbrook said moving in and out of the lineup hasnt slowed him down. "My job is to always stay confident, regardless of if Im playing or if Im missing games," he said. "Just come out with a positive mindset and try to keep going." Serge Ibaka added 16 points, 10 rebounds and a season-high eight blocks for the Thunder. "It seemed like he had 10 or 11 blocks," Durant said. "He was protecting the paint. He was there on pick and rolls. He was there all night." The Thunder shot 54 from the field, made 23 of 27 free throws and committed just 11 turnovers. Oklahoma City led by 25 points at the end of the third quarter, so Durant and Westbrook rested in the fourth. Oklahoma City outscored New Orleans 28-0 in fast-break points. "They were able to steal a lot of buckets in transition," New Orleans guard Austin Rivers said. "I felt like every time we made one mistake, I felt like they capitalized on it, where when we got one, we werent able to." Darius Miller scored a career-high 18 points and Rivers had 18 points and eight rebounds for the Pelicans. New Orleans was without injured starters Anthony Davis (back) and Eric Gordon (left knee tendinitis). "Our guys, they just scrapped and clawed and tried to do what they can to help their teammates," New Orleans coach Monty Williams said. "Its a tough situation playing against a good team." The Thunder took advantage of New Orleans depleted lineup by taking a 30-23 lead at the end of the first quarter. Oklahoma Citys reserves helped the Thunder push the lead to 44-27. New Orleans went on an 11-0 run before Derek Fisher scored for the Thunder. On Oklahoma Citys next possession, Durant sent a nice pass to a running Ibaka, who dunked to put the Thunder up by 10. Durants jumper with three seconds left in the first half put the Thunder up 60-47 at the break. Westbrook scored 16 points in the first half on just 10 shots, while Durant and Ibaka added 12 points apiece. Midway through the third quarter, Rivers got ahead of the pack for what looked like an easy basket. Ibaka caught up with him and pinned his shot on the glass, then Durant dunked on the other end to give the Thunder a 75-56 lead. "Hes fast enough to keep up with guards," Rivers said of Ibaka. "When you have a 7-foot guy who can jump, running on a fast break on defence, its hard to get to the basket. Their defence is all on him. Without Ibaka, this is a whole different team." NOTES: Oklahoma City started its preferred lineup of Durant, Westbrook, Ibaka, Kendrick Perkins and Thabo Sefolosha for just the 22nd time this season. Oklahoma City has played nine starting lineups. ... Durant was presented the Western Conference Player of the Month award for March before the game. He has won four out of five months. ... Rivers got his first start of the season, and New Orleans rookie F Jeff Withey got his second. ... New Orleans G Brian Roberts left the game with a left ankle injury and did not return. ... New Orleans G Tyreke Evans left the game with a right knee bone bruise and did not return. ... Perkins, Durant and Westbrook were issued technical fouls in the third quarter. Durant picked up his 15th of the season. Brandon Carlo Jersey .3 million qualifying offer to outfielder Michael Cuddyer on Monday. Frank Vatrano Jersey . -- Canadian ski cross star Marielle Thompson accomplished two goals in one race Saturday. http://www.bruinshockeypro.com/authentic...ruins-jersey/.A. Happ? Happs seven wins are second on the staff to Mark Buehrles 10. Win-loss record is an antiquated stat, sure, but win total is generally an indication of a pitchers ability to work deep into games, enough to be personally affected by the result. Bobby Orr Jersey . "We were left with the overall impression that the team wasnt trending toward being able to compete for a Stanley Cup," Capitals owner Ted Leonsis said in a news conference at the clubs arena. "And that was just a clear signal and why it was time to make those changes. Derek Sanderson Jersey . Both had to wait out a rain interruption lasting nearly five hours before taking comprehensive third-round victories to join Carling Bassett-Seguso (1983, 1986), Patricia Hy-Boulais (1996-97) and Daniel Nestor (1999) as Canadians who made it into the second week of a major.Philadelphia, PA (SportsNetwork.com) - Ranking teams before they have even played a minute of meaningful basketball is a tough job, but one the Associated Press must undertake every season. The Top-25 is certain to shift throughout the ups and downs of the season, and while some teams will rise above their current position, others will surely fall. Figuring out which direction each squad will go is the challenge. No. 25 Harvard - Lower With five straight 20-win seasons, four consecutive Ivy League titles and back-to-back wins in the NCAA Tournament, Harvard has been one of the top mid- major programs in the country of late. However, the Crimsons schedule is rather weak. While that is simply part of being in the Ivy League, just a few losses will likely keep them from spending all season in the national rankings, although it wont keep them out of the field of 68 come March. No. 25 Utah - Higher Utah also earned 98 points in the preseason poll, tying them with Harvard for No. 25. If you havent already heard of Delon Wright, its only a matter of time. The 6-foot-6 guard is one of the most versatile performers in the country, posting team-highs in scoring (15.5 ppg), assists (5.3 apg), steals (2.5 spg) and blocks (1.3 bpg) for a 21-win Utah team last season. Wright isnt the only top-notch player the Utes have, as Jordan Loveridge (14.7 ppg, 7 rpg) and Brandon Taylor (10.6 ppg) are back for another go. No. 24 Michigan - Higher There is talent to burn in the backcourt for John Beileins squad, which is coming off its first outright Big Ten title since 1986, and thats even with the departure of Nik Stauskas. Caris LeVert seems destined for stardom and Spike Albrecht, Zak Irvin and Derrick Walton, Jr. will all fight for time on the floor. If the Wolverines get anything positive from a young group up front, they will be tough to stop. No. 23 Syracuse - Lower The Orange have risen to No. 1 in this poll in three of the last five seasons, but that wont happen this time around. Syracuse lost too many key pieces, including clutch point guard Tyler Ennis (12.9 ppg, 5.5 apg), leading scorer C.J. Fair (16.5 ppg, 6.4 rpg) and highlight reel stud Jerami Grant (12.1 ppg, 6.8 rpg). Trevor Cooney (12.1 ppg) and Rakeem Christmas (5.8 ppg, 5.1 rpg) remain, but Jim Boeheim needs to get a lot out of a young group. No. 22 SMU - Higher It is interesting that SMU is ranked lower than Connecticut in the preseason poll. Obviously, the Huskies are defending national champions, but the Mustangs have the most potential among teams in the American Athletic Conference. All-conference guard Nic Moore (13.6 ppg, 4.9 apg) and defensive enforcer Markus Kennedy (12.4 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 1.2 bpg) lead the way for a team that won 27 games last season. They will be even hungrier following last seasons NCAA Tournament snub. No. 21 Nebraska - Lower Five returning starters, including Big Ten scoring champ Terran Petteway, make the Cornhuskers seem like an easy bet to return to the NCAA Tournament. However, it is worth noting this is a program that has not made it to the Big Dance in consecutive seasons in 20 years. The Cornhuskers also got into the field in 2014 by the skin of their teeth, finishing at 19-13 overall. Some degree of regression appears to be on the horizon. No. 20 Ohio State - Higher The Buckeyes find themselves in a different position than fellow Big Ten member Nebraska, as they must replace a number of key players, including point guard Aaron Craft and leading scorer LaQuinton Ross. Fortunately, there are reinforcements and excellent ones at that. Shannon Scott averaged 3.4 assists and two steals per game last season. His style of play mirrors Craft, who he no longer has to back up. Anthony Lee, a transfer from Temple, and highly- touted recruit DAngelo Russell make for an even deeper talent pool. No. 19 Oklahoma - Higher There is a lot to like about the team that Lon Kruger has assembled. The Sooners, who finished at No. 21 in last seasons AP poll are taking aim at a third straight NCAA Tournament appearance, and with nearly every piece back they could do more than that. While the loss of Cameron Clark stings, the Sooners still have Buddy Hield, Ryan Spangler, Isaiah Cousins and Jordan Woodard. If Houston transfer TaShawn Thomas, who was a double-double waiting to happen with the Cougars, is granted eligibility, the Sooners will trot out one of the best starting fives in the country. No. 18 Michigan State - Lower Gary Harris is gone. So is Adreian Payne. Oh, and Keith Appling no longer calls East Lansing home. Those are three major hits to take, even for a Tom Izzo-coached squad. Thats not too say the Spartans streak of 17 seasons with an NCAA Tournament is in jeopardy. Denzel Valentine and Branden Dawson will make sure of that. It just may be another year before the Spartans are back rubbing shoulders with teams in the top-10. For instance, next season when West Virginia transfer Eron Harris is eligible to play. No. 17 Connecticut - Lower Led by Shabazz Napier and his clutch shooting, the Huskies won the national championship last season. The encore will feature a change to the cast, as Ryan Boatright is now the go-to guy in the backcourt, with Napier now cashing checks in the NBA. Boatright is a blur on the floor, but he isnt the scorer that Napier was. Neither is promising center Amida Brimah, who is going from DeAndre Daniels understudy to primary post option. No. 16 San Diego State - Higher Does San Diego State have another Sweet 16 run in it? Obviously the AP thinks so, and for good reason. Winston Shepherd and the Aztecs ran to 31 wins last season, taking home the regular season title in the Mountain West Conference. They did so by playing tough defense, ranking second in the country in points allowed (57 pg). Shepherd doesnt have point guard Xavier Thames or leading rebounder Josh Davis to help him this season, but the Aztecs will be among the nations best anyhow, especially if they stay strong on the defensive end. No. 15 VCU - Lower The Rams started in the 14th position in this poll last season. They were at No. 10 three weeks in, but then fell from the rankings altogether, not to reappear until March when they lifted themselves to No. 23 before ending at No. 24. This seasons squad has the tough task of replacing some important parts, with Rob Brandenberg and Juvonte Reddic gone. Shaka Smart is still the mastermind and that alone makes VCU dangerous. With Briante Weber and Treveon Graham ready to go as well, the Rams will still be good, just not top-15 good. No. 14 Iowa State - Higher How did Fred Hoiberg deal with the loss of Big 12 Player of the Year Melvin Ejim and potent scorer DeAndre Kane? Why, he just picked up several coveted transfers, who will keep the Cyclones on an upward trajectory. Bryce DeJean- Jones comes in from UNLV, Hallice Cooke brings his shooting touch from Oregon State, and forward Jameel McKay (Marquette) adds even more depth. All that is new will fit with all that is familiar (Georges Niang, Monte Morris, Dustin Hogue) to create an enviable roster and one that will bring plenty of wins to Ames. No. 13 Gonzaga - Higher The Bulldogs wont fall into the same trap as other mid-major programs, although at this point its tough to group them there as their schedule presents plenty of chances to pad their resume. Mark Fews squad will play Arizona, UCLA and Memphis in non-league play, and two bouts with West Coast Conference rival BYU wont be easy.dddddddddddd With an experienced backcourt led by Kevin Pangos and Gary Bell Jr, as well as frontcourt titan Przemek Karnowski, Gonzaga has a chance to win every one of those contests, and the other 30 on the schedule as well. No. 12 Villanova - Higher Creighton no longer has sharpshooter Doug McDermott, and no team is happier about that than the Wildcats. Villanova was the best team in the Big East last season, finishing with a 16-2 mark in conference play en route to a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament. However, the Wildcats two losses in league play came against the Bluejays, by an average margin of 24.5 points. While Creighton, and many other teams in the conference are retooling this season, the Wildcats have four starters back. Expect them to dominate their league and be a bigger factor in the NCAA Tournament. No. 11 Wichita State - Lower The Shockers finished at No. 2 in this poll last season. Thats what winning 35 straight games will do for you. Greg Marshall has led his team to at least 27 wins in four straight seasons, including back-to-back 30-win finishes. He also has Fred VanVleet, who may just be the best point guard in the country, as well as Ron Baker and Tekele Cotton back. However, the loss of Cleanthony Early cannot be understated. Wichita State is still the best team in the Missouri Valley Conference, but it is not one of the 11 best in the country. No. 10 Texas - Higher Rick Barnes quickly turned things around following a disastrous 16-18 finish in 2013, leading the Longhorns to a 24-11 record last season as well as a spot in the NCAA Tournament. The expectations are set much higher this time around, with the Longhorns expected to challenge for the Big 12 title and perhaps more. Its easy to imagine UT playing deep into March with the returning talent on the roster. Isaiah Taylor, Javan Felix and Jonathan Holmes highlight the group, which gets a major boost with the addition of prized recruit Myles Turner. No. 9 Virginia - Lower Tony Bennett has done an incredible job at Virginia, turning a program that went 10-18 the season before his arrival into the Atlantic Coast Conference champions. Bennetts squad may not have been the flashiest, but its dedication on defense made the Cavaliers difficult to topple. They led the country in scoring defense (55.7 ppg), while holding foes to 38.8 percent shooting. Bennett has a number of key components back, including all-league guard Malcolm Brogdon, but improved squads at Duke and North Carolina, as well as the addition of Louisville to the ACC, may push the Cavaliers back, albeit slightly. No. 8 Louisville - Lower In each of the last three seasons, the Cardinals have won at least 30 games. They also have won three conference titles and a national championship in that span. They are now a member of the ACC, which is a murderers row compared to the diluted American Athletic Conference. Montrezl Harrell is the key for this squad and a strong candidate for All-American honors. However, Rick Pitino has a huge hole to fill with Russ Smith gone. Finding another scorer (or two) may take some time, and could lead to a less prosperous campaign. No. 7 Florida - Higher One of the few teams in the nation equipped to deal with major roster turnover, Florida is poised for another year of domination. Without the likes of Casey Prather, Scottie Wilbekin and Patric Young, most teams would be ready to go into rebuilding mode. Not the Gators, who will attempt to make up for last seasons Final Four letdown with proven commodities (Michael Frazier II and Dorian Finney-Smith), promising youngsters (Kasey Hill and Chris Walker), a key transfer (Jon Horford) and a healthy Eli Carter, who was a double-digit scorer at Rutgers before a fractured fibula slowed him down. No. 6 North Carolina - Lower It has been a turbulent time in Chapel Hill recently. There was the P.J. Hairston and Leslie McDonald debacle last year, followed by former star Rashad McCants damaging claims in the spring. Then, just a few weeks before this season is set to begin, a report was released detailing past academic wrongdoing. Setting aside all that, the Tar Heels are pretty talented this season, led by Marcus Paige, who is at his best in big moments. If they can push the distractions aside, this team could be great, but it remains to be seen if it can be elite. No. 5 Kansas - Higher Bill Self has himself another pair of freshmen that will make Lawrence a frequent destination for NBA scouts. After Andrew Wiggins and Joel Embiid were key parts of last seasons Big 12 regular-season title team, Kelly Oubre and Cliff Alexander are the key components of this years recruiting class and squad in general. Oubre, at 6-foot-7, is an athletic specimen and Alexander is a bully down low. They will team with Wayne Selden, Jr. and Perry Ellis to form yet another immensely-skilled Kansas squad. No. 4 Duke - Higher Another team that is ready to compete at a high level because of a number of talented freshmen is Duke. The Blue Devils brought in Jahlil Okafor, widely considered the top recruit in the country, as well as Tyus Jones and Justise Winslow. The young trio will have Blue Devils fans forgetting about the loss of Jabari Parker and a painful setback to Mercer in the NCAA Tournament in no time. Rasheed Sulaimon and Quinn Cook, who have actually played for Duke, will be important contributors as well. No. 3 Wisconsin - Lower Four starters return from last seasons Final Four squad. None is bigger, both literally and figuratively, than center Frank Kaminsky, an early favorite for Naismith Player of the Year. Sam Dekker, who suffered a minor leg injury near the end of October, should be good to go, and Traevon Jackson and Josh Gasser are each capable players as well. If there is any reason to believe Wisconsin will fall back from the No. 3 spot it is the programs history. The Badgers have never finished in the AP top-five. No. 2 Arizona - Higher One of the teams Wisconsin beat on the way to the 2014 Final Four was Arizona, which was the No. 1 seed in the West Region and probably will be again this season. It really speaks to how well Sean Miller can recruit when a team that lost Pac-12 Player of the Year Nick Marshall and talented freshman Aaron Gordon is expected to be better than it was a year ago. Top recruit Stanley Johnson will be one of the best freshmen in the country, and hes only the beginning. Brandon Ashley, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Gabe York, T.J. McConnell and Kaleb Tarczewski make for one of the deepest rosters in the country, and one that is capable of winning the national title. No. 1 Kentucky - Lower This is a familiar spot for the Wildcats, who also topped last years preseason poll. They fell from their lofty place during the regular season, but wound up making a run to the national championship game anyway. For once, John Calipari wont have to start over following a mass exodus of one-and-done stars. This season he gets back Willie Cauley-Stein, Andrew and Aaron Harrison, Alex Poythress, Marcus Lee and Dakari Johnson, to go with big-time recruits Trey Lyles and Karl-Anthony Towns. If there is any concern it is a lack of depth in the backcourt, which is admittedly a stretch, but it could be a factor should one of the Harrison twins endure a sophomore slump. Cheap Jerseys Online Wholesale Black NFL Jerseys Youth NFL Jerseys Wholesale Cheap Jerseys Wholesale Wholesale Nike NFL Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Free Shipping ' ' '