Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 factors to assist the host Oklahoma City Thunder to a 112-100 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday.
The Thunder have gained six of their final eight video games. The Cavaliers have misplaced 4 of their final six.
Darius Garland had 31 factors and 13 assists to steer the Cavs, whereas Evan Mobley added 23 factors and 11 rebounds.
Cleveland was taking part in with out Donovan Mitchell for the second consecutive sport and the fifth time in six video games with a groin pressure. Mitchell aggravated the damage in Tuesday’s loss to the Knicks.
While Cleveland dominated inside early, the sport started to shift within the second half, taking much more of a dramatic flip within the fourth quarter when the Cavaliers made simply one among their first eight pictures. Cleveland missed three layups throughout Oklahoma City’s 12-0 run that gave it management for good.
The stretch was bookended by huge scores from Isaiah Joe, who tied the sport with a 3-pointer and hit three free throws with 7:15 to play to place the Thunder up 90-81.
Gilgeous-Alexander has executed a lot of his harm after halftime this season however scored 16 first-quarter factors and had 21 at halftime.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s potential to get to the free-throw line benefited the Thunder early, as eight of his first-quarter factors got here on free throws.
The Cavs caught tight early, regardless of lacking all of their first 10 3-pointers. Cleveland didn’t make a shot from past the arc till practically seven minutes into the second quarter.
The Cavs had loads of success contained in the arc, although, going 11 of 16 inside the road within the first interval.
Cleveland hit 6 of 9 pictures – all from contained in the arc – throughout a 13-2 second-quarter run that put it up by six.
The Cavs stretched their result in 10 earlier than Gilgeous-Alexander’s step-back 3-pointer on the buzzer minimize the deficit to 54-47 on the break.
Gilgeous-Alexander had eight assists on the night time, together with three within the fourth. Jalen Williams added 17 factors.
Cleveland was additionally with out Kevin Love (again spasms) for the second consecutive sport. Oklahoma City’s Luguentz Dort missed the sport with a strained proper hamstring.
