Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dazzled with 33 factors, propelling the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 120-109 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday night time.
It was speculated to be a showdown between two of the league’s prime scorers in Gilgeous-Alexander and Dallas guard Luka Doncic, however Doncic – the NBA’s scoring chief with 34 factors per recreation – sat out with a sore left ankle. Doncic had 34 factors, ten rebounds, and ten assists Saturday in a win over the New Orleans Pelicans.
Even with Doncic out, the Thunder knew they couldn’t afford to take it straightforward.
“It’s a testament to their maturity and commitment level,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said of his players. “And actually, it’s (a) zero and 0 mindsets; it’s a 48-minute recreation, it’s being the place your toes are inside the sport.”
Gilgeous-Alexander, a guard who entered the night time fourth within the league with 30.9 factors per recreation, made 11 of 17 subject objectives and 11 of 13 free throws. Christian Wood, who led the Mavericks with 27 factors and 16 rebounds, stated his crew knew the scouting report on Gilgeous-Alexander and, it did not matter.
“He’s a great player,” Wood said. “He’s been having an important season all 12 months. He was getting left, getting downhill, attending to his spots, creating for others when he acquired to his spots, getting plenty of and-ones, attending to the free throw line.”
It was Oklahoma City’s third straight double-digit win at residence to begin the brand new 12 months. The Thunder beat Boston 150-117 on Jan. 3 and Washington 127-110 on Friday.
Spencer Dinwiddie had 21 factors and eight assists for the Mavericks, who’ve misplaced 5 of eight.
Oklahoma City led 69-55 at halftime, then Gilgeous-Alexander took over within the third quarter. He drove to the ring, was fouled, and someway flipped the ball in with 28 seconds left within the interval. His free throw gave the Thunder a 94-82 lead. His floater on the buzzer rattled in to push Oklahoma City’s edge to 96-83. He scored 17 factors within the quarter on 7-for-10 taking pictures from the sector.
The Thunder put it out of attain within the fourth. A steal by Gilgeous-Alexander led to a dunk by Lu Dort that put Oklahoma City forward 116-98 with 4:26 to play.
Daigneault stated the Thunder turned the tide with protection.
“Second-quarter defense was great; second-half defense was pretty good,” he said. “I assumed they earned the stuff they acquired within the second half.”
