NBA Top Five Performances, Jan. 20: Russell Westbrook Has 29-Point Game in Thriller Against Memphis Grizzlies

Westbrook has been efficient as a bench player in Los Angeles.

TOP PLAYER OF THE DAY:

Russell Westbrook finished up Friday night with 29 points off the bench, including 12 in the fourth quarter. The Los Angeles Lakers’ intense game with the Memphis Grizzlies featured scuffles between Grizzlies players and Undisputed co-anchor Shannon Sharpe.

OTHERS:

- Kyrie Irving’s 48-point performance gave the Brooklyn Nets a win against the Utah Jazz. Irving had 21 in the fourth quarter, accounting for 62 percent of the Nets’ points during the final period. This was Brooklyn’s first win since Kevin Durant suffered a knee injury against the Miami Heat.

- Jordan Poole exploded against the Cleveland Cavaliers with 32 points to give the Warriors a 120-114 win. Poole had to perform in the absences of Draymond Green, Andrew Wiggins, Steph Curry and Klay Thompson.

- Kawhi Leonard logged a season-high 36 points to defeat his former team, the San Antonio Spurs. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said, “He’s one of the finest players in the game. We’re talking about the very top of the list.”

- Jamal Murray got the first triple double of his career in a blowout win against the Indiana Pacers. The absence of MVP frontrunner Nikola Jokic allowed Murray to take control with 17 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds.

MORE HEAT-RELATED STORIES

Tyler Herro dazzles with pregame outfit before Mavs game. CLICK HERE

Stephen A Smith says Pat Riley saved his career. CLICK HERE

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra impressed with way team handles adversity. CLICK HERE

For a look at some of the latest Heat apparel. CLICK HERE

If you wanna bet on any games at @PrizePicks or PrizePicks.com, use our link and code. They will match your first bet for up to $100. Here's the code: PR-R1YOFY6Shandel Richardson covers the Miami Heat for Inside The Heat.

Jayden Armant is a contributor to Inside the Heat. He is a student at Howard University. He can be reached at jayden.armant@bison.howard.edu or follow him on Twitter @jaydenarmant.