‘That was hurting me’: Giddey reveals big change after 8-year first; Luka explodes — NBA Wrap

Australia’s Josh Giddey continued his sizzling streak with one other double-double as his Oklahoma City Thunder blew away an injury-hit San Antonio Spurs 127-89.

Giddey had 20 factors, 12 rebounds and 7 assists in 29 minutes within the blowout win on 7-12 capturing, with the Thunder up by 23 factors after the primary quarter.

The Spurs had been with out celebrity Victor Wembanyama and had been by no means within the contest, with Zach Collins their topscorer with 20 factors and 7 boards. Spurs managed simply 35 factors on 28.6% capturing within the first half – the most effective defensive report for the Thunder in a half this season.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the best way for the Thunder with 26 factors in simply 26 minutes, having scored 40 the evening prior, however OKC had been very happy to bench their starters in the course of the third quarter – this being their third recreation in 4 nights.

The win was Oklahoma City’s fifty fifth of the season, the primary time that they had reached that mark since 2015-16.

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It additionally retains alive their slim hopes of successful the primary seed within the West, with two video games nonetheless to play.

Giddey opened up on his spectacular kind after the win, evaluating it to his struggles earlier within the season.

He mentioned: “The problem for me earlier in the year was I kind of went in predetermined to do something [in games] and I thought that was what was hurting me. Going in with a plan is not the way to do it because defences throw different looks at you.

“I’ve seen different coverages … not going in with a plan, just taking what the defence gives me – whether that’s score, rebound, push the ball in transition, get other guys looks.

“It’s taking the game as it comes and playing every possession on its own.

“I thought earlier in the year I would sometimes already have this idea of what I was going to do coming into the game but now I’ve relaxed, let the game come to me and take every possession as it comes.”

Meanwhile, Nikola Jokic scored 41 factors because the Denver Nuggets reclaimed pole place within the Western Conference playoff race with a 116-107 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves of their top-of-the-table conflict on Wednesday.

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In a hard-fought showdown in Denver that noticed the lead change fingers 15 instances, the Nuggets lastly pulled clear within the fourth quarter to seal victory.

The end result means Denver, the reigning NBA champions, lead the Western Conference by one recreation with two regular-season fixtures remaining.

With their closing opponents lowly ranked Memphis and San Antonio, Denver (56-24) at the moment are heavy favourites to complete prime of the West and seal the No.1 seeding and residential benefit by means of the playoffs.

“We found a way to win, our defence in the fourth quarter was amazing,” Jokic instructed ESPN, earlier than downplaying the importance of Denver’s return to the highest.

“It’s important to be honest, but the West is really, really, really tough. We could play the Los Angeles Lakers or Golden State in the first round — they’re all good teams.”

Jokic, who additionally had 11 rebounds, seven assists and three steals, was backed by 20 factors from Jamal Murray whereas Michael Porter Jr. added 18.

Anthony Edwards led Minnesota’s scoring with 25 factors whereas Mike Conley added 19. Rudy Gobert and Naz Reid completed with 13 factors apiece.

Minnesota’s defeat dropped them into third place within the West behind Oklahoma City Thunder. Although the Timberwolves and OKC have an identical data of 55-25 with two video games remaining, the Thunder maintain the tie-breaker by advantage of the higher divisional report.

Oklahoma City moved into second place on Wednesday after swatting apart the San Antonio Spurs 127-89, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scoring 26 factors in a 38-point beat down of the bottom-ranked Spurs (20-60).

SUNS BOUNCE BACK

The Phoenix Suns bounced again from their 105-92 dwelling defeat to the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday with a complete 124-108 win on the street within the return fixture.

Devin Booker’s 37-point effort drove Phoenix to victory with Kevin Durant including 24 and Bradley Beal 26.

The win leaves Phoenix with a preventing likelihood of reaching the automated playoff locations with two video games remaining.

The seventh-placed Suns are on 47-33, simply behind New Orleans, who occupy the final computerized postseason spot within the West in sixth with a 47-32 report.

Despite the win Booker believes Phoenix nonetheless have loads of room for enchancment with the postseason looming.

“I don’t know if it was a great response,” Booker mentioned. “I think we still started the game a little slow. It’s been our problem all season.”

Phoenix’s victory means each Golden State and the Los Angeles Lakers should undergo the play-in repechage to earn a spot within the playoffs.

KNICKS GET PLAYOFF SPOT

The Dallas Mavericks reeled off their fifth straight win with a 111-92 defeat of the Miami Heat. Luka Doncic scored 29 factors for Dallas in a end result which ensured the New York Knicks clinched a playoff place within the East.

Elsewhere within the Eastern Conference, the Milwaukee Bucks shrugged off the frustration of dropping Giannis Antetokounmpo to damage on Tuesday to defeat the Orlando Magic 117-99.

Bobby Portis weighed in with a 30-point efficiency whereas Damian Lillard added 29 for the Bucks, who’re closing in on the No.2 seed within the East with two video games of the common season remaining.

The win left Bucks coach Doc Rivers singing the praises of Portis and guard Patrick Beverley, who completed with 13 factors, eight rebounds and 6 assists.

“They’re both nuts, in a very good way,” Rivers mentioned of Portis and Beverley. “I like guys like them who can be that way but still be under control. They give the team energy — they’re natural instigators.

“It’s not fake, it’s what they do. But they’re not trying to do it — they just do it. Having guys like that on your team is invaluable.”