Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 40 points Tuesday in the Oklahoma City Thunder’s hard-fought win in Orlando, the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Phoenix Suns to sink them in the playoffs, and the heavy favorites scored comfortable victories.
With their 108-113 win, the Thunder, reigning NBA champions, became the first team in the league to secure one of the 12 playoff spots. It was also the tenth win in a row for Oklahoma City, which faces this key stretch of the season in a very sweet moment.
Thunder withstands comeback, Banchero shines and Suns get complicated
In addition to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 40 points, Chet Holmgren added 20 points and 12 rebounds for a Thunder (54-15) that found itself coming back from an 18-point second quarter lead.
Paolo Banchero, with 32 points and 10 assists, was the best for the Magic (38-30) who, in the tight playoff race in the East, are once again in the playoff positions.
This after their second consecutive loss.
Suns doomed to the playoffs
The Suns were visiting Minnesota with a chance to move within one win of sixth place if they won.
But after falling 116-104, they are three games behind, an almost impossible mission at this stage of the season.
Without Anthony Edwards, Julius Randle took over for the Wolves with 32 points.
While Rudy Gobert was master of the boards on both sides of the court with 19 rebounds (11 defensive and 8 offensive).
Devin Booker scored 34 points and Oso Ighodaro contributed a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
But they were no match for a Timberwolves team with only eight available players.
The Timberwolves (42-27), tied with the Denver Nugets (42-27) in fifth and sixth place, put some distance between themselves and the Suns (39-30), the first team in the play-in zone with only 13 games left to play.
(Filed as: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 40 points)
Sufrido triunfo de los Oklahoma City Thunder
QuéOnnda.com
Big wins for Spurs, Nuggets and Knicks
It was a day in which none of the favorites failed to score big wins against weaker opponents.
Mitch Johnson was able to reserve minutes for the San Antonio Spurs starters after amassing a 38-point lead against the Sacramento Kings.
They ended up defeating them 104-132 with only 18 points from Victor Wembanyama.
The Denver Nuggets beat the Philadelphia 76ers 124-96 without Nikola Jokic passing for 8 points, sitting shortly after halftime when the lead was 33 points.
And the New York Knicks beat the Pacers 136-110 in one of the NBA’s great rivalries.
That this season has been a lackluster one, with Indiana being the worst team in the league after reaching the Finals last season.
It was less easy for the East-leading Detroit Pistons in Washington, where they won 117-130 after losing Cade Cunningham in the first quarter after a hard fall.
In addition, the Charlotte Hornets drubbed the Miami Heat 136-106 with 30 points and 13 rebounds from LaMelo Ball, in a duel between those involved in the battle of the East.
Finally, the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Milawukee Bucks 116-123 with 27 points and 15 rebounds from Evan Mobley.
A necessary victory for a team that seems doomed to fourth place in the East.
With information from EFE
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