Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 38 factors and Jalen Williams added 26 to guide the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder to a 118-103 dwelling win over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Recreation 2 of the Western Convention finals on Thursday.
The Thunder lead the best-of-seven collection 2-0 going into Recreation 3 on Saturday in Minneapolis.
Gilgeous-Alexander, who was chosen the NBA Most Helpful Participant on Wednesday and offered with the trophy earlier than Thursday’s sport, has scored 30 or extra factors in 5 consecutive video games.
The 38 factors tied a profession playoff-high and he added eight assists and three steals with only one turnover. Chet Holmgren contributed 22 factors within the win.
Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards completed with 32 factors, capturing 12 of 26 from the ground however simply 1 of 9 on 3-point makes an attempt. He additionally contributed 9 rebounds and 6 assists.
Julius Randle, who helped Minnesota construct a first-half lead in Recreation 1 with a string of 3-pointers, wound up with simply six factors in Recreation 2. He made simply 2 of 11 pictures from the ground — lacking all three of his 3-point tries — and didn’t play within the fourth quarter.
The Timberwolves received 17 factors from Nickeil Alexander-Walker plus 10 factors and eight rebounds from Naz Reid.
Oklahoma Metropolis led by as many as 24 factors late within the third quarter, however the Timberwolves clawed inside 10 with simply greater than three minutes remaining.
Nevertheless, that was as shut as Minnesota would get late, because the Thunder repeatedly answered within the closing minutes. Oklahoma Metropolis grabbed management within the third, turning up the stress on protection as soon as once more.
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Minnesota didn’t make a area purpose for six minutes late within the quarter, lacking seven consecutive pictures and committing 5 turnovers because the Thunder stretched their result in 24 late within the interval.
After struggling from the sphere early in Recreation 1, Gilgeous-Alexander was way more environment friendly from the soar in Recreation 2, not lacking a shot till simply greater than 5 minutes remained within the first half.
Edwards stated he wanted to shoot extra in Recreation 2 after making an attempt simply 13 pictures on Tuesday in a 114-88 loss. He was aggressive offensively from the beginning on Thursday, making an attempt 10 pictures within the first quarter (and making 4) whereas including three assists.
The Timberwolves had been inside three with simply greater than two minutes to go within the half earlier than Oklahoma Metropolis closed robust.
Gilgeous-Alexander scored the entire Thunder’s factors throughout a 7-2 run to take an eight-point lead into halftime. His spree included drawing a foul on Jaden McDaniels within the closing seconds and sinking a pair of free throws.
The Thunder led 58-50 on the break regardless of capturing simply 4 of 20 from past the arc within the first half.