Australia’s Josh Giddey continued his sizzling streak with one other double-double as his Oklahoma Metropolis 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 have been with out celebrity Victor Wembanyama and have 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 – one of the best defensive file for the Thunder in a half this season.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way in which for the Thunder with 26 factors in simply 26 minutes, having scored 40 the evening prior, however OKC have been more than pleased to bench their starters in the course of the third quarter – this being their third recreation in 4 nights.
The win was Oklahoma Metropolis’s fifty fifth of the season, the primary time they’d reached that mark since 2015-16.
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It additionally retains alive their slim hopes of profitable 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 stated: “The issue for me earlier within the 12 months was I sort of went in predetermined to do one thing [in games] and I believed that was what was hurting me. Getting in with a plan will not be the way in which to do it as a result of defences throw completely different appears at you.
“I’ve seen completely different coverages … not stepping into with a plan, simply taking what the defence offers me – whether or not that’s rating, rebound, push the ball in transition, get different guys appears.
“It’s taking the sport because it comes and enjoying each possession by itself.
“I believed earlier within the 12 months I’d generally have already got this concept of what I used to be going to do coming into the sport however now I’ve relaxed, let the sport come to me and take each possession because it comes.”
In the meantime, Nikola Jokic scored 41 factors because the Denver Nuggets reclaimed pole place within the Western Convention 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 occasions, the Nuggets lastly pulled clear within the fourth quarter to seal victory.
The consequence means Denver, the reigning NBA champions, lead the Western Convention by one recreation with two regular-season fixtures remaining.
With their closing opponents lowly ranked Memphis and San Antonio, Denver (56-24) are actually heavy favourites to complete high of the West and seal the No.1 seeding and residential benefit by the playoffs.
“We discovered a strategy to win, our defence within the fourth quarter was superb,” Jokic informed ESPN, earlier than downplaying the importance of Denver’s return to the highest.
“It’s necessary to be trustworthy, however the West is de facto, actually, actually powerful. We might play the Los Angeles Lakers or Golden State within the first spherical — they’re all good groups.”
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.
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Minnesota’s defeat dropped them into third place within the West behind Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder. Though 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 file.
Oklahoma Metropolis 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 file.
Regardless of the win Booker believes Phoenix nonetheless have loads of room for enchancment with the postseason looming.
“I don’t know if it was an amazing response,” Booker stated. “I feel we nonetheless began the sport just a little sluggish. It’s been our drawback 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 Warmth. Luka Doncic scored 29 factors for Dallas in a consequence which ensured the New York Knicks clinched a playoff place within the East.
Elsewhere within the Jap Convention, the Milwaukee Bucks shrugged off the frustration of shedding Giannis Antetokounmpo to harm 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 each nuts, in an excellent method,” Rivers stated of Portis and Beverley. “I like guys like them who might be that method however nonetheless be beneath management. They provide the crew power — they’re pure instigators.
“It’s not faux, it’s what they do. However they’re not attempting to do it — they simply do it. Having guys like that in your crew is invaluable.”