Oklahoma Metropolis prolonged the NBA’s finest profitable streak to 13 video games with a house win Thursday whereas the defending champion Boston Celtics held on for a last-gasp triumph in Minnesota.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a game-high 29 factors and eight assists to energy the host Thunder previous the Los Angeles Clippers 116-98, bettering the Western Convention leaders to 28-5.
The Thunder’s profitable streak is the longest because the staff left Seattle after the 2007-08 season.
“It is nearly being current, taking it day-to-day, engaged on ourselves and I believe we’re doing a great job of that,” stated Isaiah Hartenstein, who added 11 factors, 9 rebounds and 6 assists for the Thunder.
Oklahoma Metropolis trailed 52-48 at halftime however dominated the Clippers 42-20 within the third quarter and Los Angeles by no means closed the hole.
“We needed to return out and simply put strain on,” Hartenstein stated. “We did a great job.”
In Minneapolis, the Celtics had been with out Jaylen Brown with a strained proper shoulder and Kristaps Porzingis with a sprained ankle, however eradicated the Timberwolves 118-115.
Jayson Tatum sparked Boston with 33 factors on 13-of-27 capturing, 6-of-17 from three-point vary, and added eight rebounds and 9 assists.
“No JB. No KP. We have had a troublesome time the final eight or 9 video games,” Tatum stated. “So in January we’re going to attempt to flip issues round and discover our id once more.
“What higher approach than to go on the street in a troublesome setting towards a very good staff with two of your finest gamers and the way in which we responded, discovered a method to win, we’ll take it any day.”
The Celtics (25-9) had simply 4 turnovers whereas forcing 16 by the Timberwolves (17-16), who got here shut by outscoring Boston 20-4 on the free throw line.
The T-Wolves led 35-28 after 12 minutes, matching their highest rating within the first quarter of the season, however the Celtics took a 62-51 benefit into halftime just for Minnesota to rally within the closing minutes.
Donte DiVincenzo hit three free throws with 28 seconds left to deliver the Timberwolves inside 118-115.
Minnesota acquired the ball again after a Tatum miss with 3.1 seconds left, however Anthony Edwards missed a three-pointer on the buzzer to provide Boston the victory.
“I simply needed to keep it up,” Tatum stated of Boston’s defensive work. “They made some powerful pictures. It’s a must to stay with one thing, you may’t take the whole lot away. Follow the sport plan, be aggressive.”
Derrick White added 26 factors for Boston. Julius Randle led Minnesota with 27.
– ‘Cool first time’ for Curry –
4-time NBA champion Stephen Curry made 8 of 8 three-pointers, his most profession three-pointers with out lacking a recreation, and scored 30 factors to guide the Golden State Warriors previous Philadelphia 139- 105.
Regardless of a sprained proper thumb, the 36-year-old guard and all-time NBA three-point chief made 11 of 15 from the sphere, added 10 assists and was aside of probably the most subject objectives three-pointers with out lacking in an NBA. recreation, 9-for-9 efforts from Jalen Brunson, Ben Gordon and Latrell Sprewell.
“Typically somewhat harm can hold you from specializing in what that you must do,” Curry stated. “I normally shoot much more however you are doing them, you are in a rhythm, you are getting the pictures you need, it feels good.
“Often once you’re in a rhythm like this, good issues occur. However it’s cool to do one thing for the primary time.”
Joel Embiid led the 76ers with 28 factors and 14 rebounds.
Brooklyn’s Cameron Johnson scored 26 factors and reserve Cam Thomas added 24 because the Nets gained 113-110 in Milwaukee.
Giannis Antetokounmpo had 27 factors, 13 rebounds and 7 assists for the Bucks whereas Damian Lillard added 23 factors, however Milwaukee’s stars every missed pictures late to sentence a rally that includes a 20-0 run, with Lillard lacking a three-point attempt on the buzzer.
LeBron James had 38 factors and eight assists to guide the Los Angeles Lakers over Portland 114-106 regardless of the absence of Anthony Davis because of a sprained left ankle.
Tyrese Haliburton scored 33 factors and added 15 rebounds to guide Indiana previous host Miami 128-115.
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