Westbrook vows to contain Rubio in Game 4: 'I'm gonna shut that s--- off'
If Russell Westbrook has his way, Ricky Rubio's immaculate Game 3 performance won't be replicated.
The crafty Spaniard notched the Utah Jazz's first postseason triple-double in 17 years Saturday, finishing with 26 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists to help beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 115-102.
"He made some shots," said Westbrook afterward, per ESPN's Royce Young. "Too comfortable. But I'm gonna shut that s--- off next game, though. Guarantee that."
Rubio struggled shooting the rock over the first two games of the opening-round series at Chesapeake Energy Arena, going 11-of-34 from the field before coming alive on his home floor in Game 3. In 37 minutes of action, Rubio sank half of his shots (9-of-18) while going a perfect 5-of-5 from mid-range.
"I think the first two games, I wasn't being effective in the mid-range area," said Rubio. "It's been something I've been working on. I felt good about, but it wasn't going in.
"But tonight, it felt good seeing the first couple go in. It's just the way we played. We got open shots, and it's easy to make shots when you are open."
Westbrook, on the other hand, narrowly missed a triple-double of his own with 14 points, 11 boards, and nine dimes across 37 minutes. This was undoubtedly his worst showing of the series, as he missed 12 of his 17 shots, turned the rock over eight times, and had a team-worst plus-minus rating of minus-25.
"Just gotta take what's given," Westbrook said. "I'm getting myself jumping in the air trying to look back to find (Paul George) and (Carmelo Anthony) and other guys on the floor. I've got to stay in attack mode and read my first option and go with that."
The Jazz hold a 2-1 series lead with Game 4 taking place Monday at Vivint Smart Home Arena.