Last Night This Morning: Russell Westbrook shines, even in defeat

There were six games on the NBA hardwood Monday. Here's what you need to know:

Game of the Night

The Chicago Bulls and Indiana Pacers have each opened up their games offensively this season after years of priding themselves on their play at the defensive end. But on Monday night, when the game was on the line, it was a defensive play that sent the crowd home happy.

With the Bulls in front 96-95 in the waning seconds, the final shot went to the Pacers. Indiana inbounded to Paul George who took the ball into the lane, but Jimmy Butler stuck with him the entire way and blocked his shot attempt, sealing the victory for the Bulls.

Performance of the Night

No Kevin Durant means plenty of Russell Westbrook, and No. 0 didn't disappoint on Monday.

Westbrook scored 40 points on an efficient 13-of-19 shooting, knocking down 5-of-8 shots from beyond the arc. He also dished out 14 assists, and filled out his stat line with four rebounds and three steals.

Only Stephen Curry has more 40-point performances than Westbrook this season. Westbrook is also the only player with multiple games with 30 or more points and 10 or more assists this season.

In the three games Durant's missed with an injured hamstring, Westbrook is averaging 29.3 points, 10 assists, and 8.3 rebounds.

Poster of the Night

Between Tim Duncan, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Kawhi Leonard, that's over $40 million of Spurs that Mason Plumlee's dunking over.

Quote of the Night

Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown holds a position that would be trying on even the most patient individual. But the 27 turnovers his team committed Monday night were too much for him.

"I should just walk off the stage," he told reporters. "What else do you say?"

Tweet of the Night

Notes

The 76ers fell to 0-11 with a loss to the Mavericks. ... Chandler Parsons shot 7-of-7 from 2-point range against the 76ers. ... Derrick Rose suffered a sprained left ankle in the fourth quarter of the Bulls' game against the Pacers and did not return. ... Mario Chalmers has 56 points on 23 field-goal attempts in three games with the Grizzlies. ... Brandon Knight picked up his first career triple-double Monday with 30 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists. ... Rockets head coach Kevin McHale said a change to the team's starting backcourt could be coming.