Shai Gilgeous-Alexader’s 37 Helps OKC Thunder Grind Out Win Against Heat
It was not always pretty, but the Oklahoma City Thunder got a gritty win against the reigning Eastern Conference champs.
The Thunder beat the Miami Heat 107-100 in Paycom Center on Friday night. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a game-high 37 to help the Thunder get a second straight win.
The Thunder’s MVP candidate scored 12 in the fourth quarter to put the Thunder in position for a win. Jalen Williams’ bucket in the final minute, followed by Jimmy Butler’s missed 3-pointer, sealed the Thunder’s win.
Aaron Wiggins’ first points of the night came on the first possession of the fourth quarter, nailing a 3-pointer to give Oklahoma City a seven-point lead, its largest up to that point.
Rookie Jamie Jaquez Jr. shined for the Heat on the second night of a back-to-back, scoring 25 points on 10-of-13 shooting.
Oklahoma City showed a boost of energy early in the second half after Miami stretched its lead to 14. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s and-one tied the game as part of a 17-0 run.
In that run, the Heat went on a scoring drought that lasted nearly six minutes. After the Thunder took the lead, the teams traded scores for the rest of the quarter before Gilgeous-Alexander’s jumper gave the Thunder a four-point lead going to the fourth.
A 12-2 run in the second quarter, including eight points from Patty Mills, helped the Heat open their first double-digit lead. The Thunder would cut into the deficit but trailed by 10 at halftime.
On a night when some of the Heat’s stars struggled, the Thunder’s stars could not take advantage. Although they got another 30-point night from Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder needed more from Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams.
The Thunder’s young stars combined for only 22 points, but it was still enough to get a win.
Jaquez’s 11 points in the first quarter led all scorers. His outburst helped Miami take a two-point lead into the second quarter.
The Thunder continue their homestand on Sunday when they host the Memphis Grizzlies.
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