Western Conference Recaps, March 19: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Keeps Oklahoma City Thunder In Play-In Spot After Victory Against Phoenix Suns
The Oklahoma City Thunder are trying to hold on to their play-in tournament spot.
After trailing by 12 points at halftime, the Thunder outscored the Phoenix Suns 34-24 in the fourth quarter to secure a 124-120 victory.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way with 40 points, 16 of them coming from free throws. It was the most points he scored since Feb. 10.
“I just thought he didn’t have his normal jugular-type mentality on his drives (in the second quarter)," Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault said. "And he got back to that in the second half and really put pressure on them. That gets the fouls going.”
Luguentz Dort had 20 points and Josh Giddey had 16.
Devin Booker scored 46 points for the Suns, 30 of them in the second half. It was the most he scored since Dec. 17. Chris Paul had 14 points and 13 assists and Terrence Ross had 12 off the bench.
NEXT THUNDER GAME AGAINST THE HEAT:
OTHER NOTES:
-All five New Orleans Pelicans starters scored in double-figures to take a 117-107 victory against the Houston Rockets. Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum scored 26 points for the Pelicans while Jonas Valanciunas recorded 21 points and 12 rebounds.
Jalen Green led the Rockets with 40 points, the most since Feb. 8.
-Paul George’s 29 points led the Los Angeles Clippers to a 117-102 victory against the Portland Trail Blazers. Kawhi Leonard had 24 points and Eric Gordon led all reserves with 20. Jusuf Nurkic led the Trail Blazers with 23 points and 11 rebounds while Damian Lillard had 21 points.
-Austin Reaves' huge night allowed the Los Angeles Lakers to capture a 111-105 victory against the Orlando Magic. He scored a career-high 35 points, 16 of them coming from free-throws. D’Angelo Russell had 18 points and Anthony Davis had 15 points and 11 rebounds. Rookie Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner had 21 points for the Magic.
NEXT MAGIC GAME AGAINST THE HEAT: Apr. 9 at Miami
Cory Nelson is a contributor to Inside The Heat. He attended Northern Virginia Community College. He can be reached at corymckenzienelson@hotmail.com or follow him on Twitter @CKenzyNelson. You can also check out his personal blog HERE.
