OKLAHOMA CITY — — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 23 of his 37 points in the second half and the Oklahoma City Thunder overcame a 14-point deficit to beat the Miami Heat 107-100 for the Western Conference lead Friday night .
Gilgeous-Alexander made 13 of 25 field goals and 9 of 11 free throws. The NBA’s leading scorer was greeted with “MVP!” MVP!’” he sang as he drove to the line in the fourth quarter as he helped Oklahoma City take control.
The Thunder moved ahead of Minnesota by a half-game to take the West lead, with the Timberwolves falling in overtime to Cleveland.
Some of Gilgeous-Alexander’s photos were taken at awkward angles. Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said the star player knows better when to make those kinds of shots.
“The shot production is excellent,” said Daigneault. “He has the talent from day one. But what impresses me most is the restraint he shows and his ability to see the big picture, to harness that talent for the good of the team while trying to accomplish individual things.
Jalen Williams scored 15 points and Josh Giddey added 11 points, nine rebounds and six assists for the Thunder. Gilgeous-Alexander said his teammates also deserve credit.
“We have guys like that at all levels who do the little things that add up at the end of the night…Everyone has a role and on this team, everyone takes pride and does their part at best of his abilities,” Gilgeous said. -Alexander said. “And that’s what I love about them.”
Miami rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr. scored 25 points. Jimmy Butler added 20 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists. Bam Adebayo finished with just five points, but he grabbed 10 rebounds.
Miami has lost its two consecutive games. The Heat lost 114-108 in Dallas on Thursday night.
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said the team remains on track, despite the losses.
“We will get better because of this,” Spoelstra said. “There were a lot of good things to remember. None of us want to talk about it or feel that or anything right now because we’re competitors. But by the time we get back to Miami, even the head coach can see there are good things happening in our locker room.
Miami led Oklahoma City 57-47 at halftime on 50% shooting. Jaquez scored 17 points on 6-of-7 shooting before the break.
The Heat extended the lead to 65-51 in the third quarter, but Oklahoma City erased its deficit four minutes later. Gilgeous-Alexander tied it at 65 on a free throw after a basket midway through the period. The Thunder took a 68-65 lead on a Williams three-pointer that Gilgeous-Alexander assisted to cap a 17-0 run.
The Thunder led 77-73 late in the third after holding Miami to 5-of-17 shooting in the period. Gilgeous-Alexander scored 11 points in the quarter to help Oklahoma City beat Miami 30-16.
Gilgeous-Alexander took his usual rest to start the fourth, and Oklahoma City led 87-85 when he returned with 7:16 remaining. He scored 12 points the rest of the game to keep the Thunder in control.
Daigneault said the victory meant a little more than usual because of the opponent.
“They represent the competitive standard of the NBA and so we have great respect for them and we know how hard it is to win against them,” Daigneault said. “So we are really happy with this victory.”
FOLLOWING
Heat: Host Washington on Sunday night.
Thunder: Host Memphis on Sunday night.
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