Productive Third Quarter Leads Thunder to Comeback Victory over Nets

Oklahoma City continued its three-game win streak Tuesday evening, defeating Brooklyn 121-107 at the Paycom Center. After missing Sunday night's matchup against the Spurs, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was OKC's leading scorer, tallying 35 points, seven rebounds, four assists and one steal.

The Thunder got off to a great start, jumping out to a 7-0 lead early in the first quarter. After a quick 10-2 run by the Nets, however, OKC trailed less than two minutes later.

Two 3-pointers from Nets wing Cam Johnson put Brooklyn up 18-12, resulting in a timeout from Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault. The Nets continued to knock down shots from the perimeter, as Bridges and Royce O'Neale found the bottom of the net to build a 28-17 advantage for Brooklyn.

After a questionable offensive foul call against Oklahoma City big man Dario Saric, a triple from O'Neale gave the Nets their largest lead of the game. At the end of the opening frame, OKC trailed Brooklyn 33-24.

Thunder rookie Jalen Williams opened the second quarter with a nice finish in the paint, followed by a great dribble move and layup from Josh Giddey. After a Nets turnover on the ensuing possession, Isaiah Joe penetrated the defense and hit a shot from close range to bring Oklahoma City back within three.

Brooklyn continued to rain down 3-pointers, pulling away from OKC once again five minutes into the second quarter. After Johnson connected on another shot from beyond the arc, the Nets led 45-34.

The Thunder continued to struggle, and after a Spencer Dinwiddie take to the basket, the home team fell behind by 12 with four minutes left in the first half. After another Daigneault timeout, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored Oklahoma City's next 10 points, but Brooklyn continued to grow its lead, going ahead 62-46.

Heading into the break, Giddey missed a transition layup, but a Jalen Williams putback finished the play before the buzzer. At halftime, the Nets led OKC 62-52 behind 10 first-half 3-pointers.

Aided by three triples from Lu Dort, an 11-2 Thunder run in the first three minutes of the second half cut the deficit to one. Brooklyn quickly rebuilt a lead, going ahead 73-65 before another Oklahoma City timeout.

After the quick break, Dort and Jalen Williams hit 3-pointers to bring the score to 73-71 midway through the third quarter. After an unconventional offensive possession, Gilgeous-Alexander tied the game at 75 with a layup at the basket.

A few possessions later, another corner triple from Dort gave the Thunder their first lead since early in the first quarter. Joe and Gilgeous-Alexander each knocked down shots from deep a few moments later gave OKC an 86-78 advantage.

After a scorching hot third quarter that saw Oklahoma City connect on eight triples, the Thunder lead 90-82 heading into the final frame.

With the Thunder ahead 100-90 early in the fourth quarter, the Nets went on a 5-0 run that garnered another timeout from Daigneault. An impressive drive to the basket by Jalen Williams brought OKC's lead back to eight a few moments later, followed by a drawn charge on defense by Jaylin Williams.

Oklahoma City's defense was stifling in the game's closing minutes, forcing multiple turnovers to help the home team shut the door on the Net's comeback hopes. The Thunder didn't take their foot off the gas pedal at the end of the contest, finishing with a 121-107 win.

Following the home victory, OKC will meet the Raptors in Toronto at 6:30 P.M. CT on Thursday, March 16.

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