Russell Westbrook seriously hates the Warriors

Good morning. Let’s basketball.

LET THE HATE FLOW THROUGH YOU: The Thunder played at Golden State on Wednesday ... and it didn’t go particularly well for Russell Westbrook. Despite another triple-double and a couple of screaming highlights, Westbrook took a hard foul with a side of taunting from none other than Zaza Pachulia. After the game, Westbrook vowed retaliation. Westbrook had one of the more hilarious traveling violations I’ve seen. He also appears to have instructed his teammates not to greet “that b-—h a--” after the game, potentially referring to their old friend Kevin Durant. He also told the media that he and Durant are not on speaking terms, downplaying a brief apparent chat during the game. Other than that, everything is great!

Durant had 40 points on 13-of-16 shooting in a 21-point Warriors win.

SPEAKING OF RUSS ... Here’s man-of-the-world Zito Madu on how Westbrook’s freedom is a burden.

HAIL TO THE CHIEF: Here’s GQ’s marvelous oral history of President Barack Obama playing pick-up. It includes this gem from David Axelrod: “[The President] ticked off Joakim Noah because the president was trash-talking him about his shot, [which is], shall we say, unorthodox. The president said, “Where’d you get that shot? That’s the ugliest shot I’ve ever seen.” So at some point, Noah decided, “Okay, let’s see about yours.” And he completely smothered the President. I mean he was guarding him and the President could not go anywhere.”

MAD SCIENCE: Brilliant Howard Beck feature on James Harden, Mike D’Antoni, and Houston’s science experiment.

SCORES GALORE ...

Raptors 89, Sixers 94
Grizzlies 101, Wizards 104
Blazers 85, Hornets 107
Knicks 117, Celtics 106
Magic 98, Pelicans 118
Bucks 92, Rockets 111
Hawks 95, Pistons 118
Thunder 100, Warriors 121
Pacers 106, Kings 100

STAY THE COURSE: I wrote that the Clippers shouldn’t trade Blake Griffin just because Chris Paul is injured and the franchise is irrevocably cursed.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF CARMELO ANTHONY GETTING MAD AT REFEREES WHO BLOW THEIR WHISTLES IN HIS EARS.

WELPVILLE, CALIFORNIA: It sure looks like Rudy Gay tore his Achilles.

BAYOU BLUES: Zach Lowe on the Pelicans, who need to figure it out fast.

COMING ALONG: Ethan Strauss on how Steph Curry and Kevin Durant are and aren’t clicking.

THE LONE STARS: Jason Concepcion’s guide to the NBA’s new superheroes.

GOLDEN IN THE SHORT CORNER: Kenneth Faried has become a real force in the short corner.

LEFT HIS HEART IN OKC: Nice piece by Tim Bontemps on Kevin Durant’s continued dedication to a school for homeless kids in Oklahoma City.

TIM DUNCAN’S SECOND CAREER AS A PITCHMAN IS GOING WELL.

NO, YOU MOVE: Someone screams at Dario Saric to “f---ing move” until he complies. It was a very swear-word night in the NBA. By the way, THE 76ERS ARE ON FIRE.

MELODRAMA II: Kevin O’Connor weighs the options and finds few for Carmelo Anthony outside of New York. [#MELO2DC]

BUCKS IN 6: Khris Middleton could be back in a few weeks after Milwaukee had believed he’d miss the season.

YEAR OF THE BEARD: James Harden gave the game ball to a delightful Rockets fan who is turning 100 years old this week.

NEXT UP: TNT will have a special show to announce All-Star starters at 7 p.m. ET. Wizards-Knicks will follow at 8 ET, with Wolves-Clippers wrapping up the night at 10:30. Nuggets-Spurs at 8:30 is a nice League Pass option.

AND FINALLY: Ryan Sutton, our heroic chief critic at Eater, ranks the best fast food chicken nuggets.

Be excellent to each other.