Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder hit the primary Sunday within the first two video games among the many two finest groups in West, who current an important MVP candidates within the NBA.
Thunder traveled a fourth quarter to open a detailed recreation, then held Denver Nuggets for a 127-103 victory. Oklahoma Metropolis exceeded Denver with 21 factors within the fourth quarter of what was beforehand a recreation again and again between the Western Convention.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has completed with 40 factors, eight restoration, 5 assistants and three blocks to drive Thunder’s effort. He marked seven straight tunnel factors in a interval of 1:20 on the finish of the fourth quarter to arouse any hope of an Nuggets rally.
SGA responses in heated MVP race
The 40-point recreation was the 11th of the season for Gilgeous-Alexander, who’s on the lookout for the primary MVP award, whereas main the chief of the Western Convention. He supported the massive numbers within the first recreation from Nikola Jokić’s historic historian, in 31 factors, with 21 years, in opposition to Suns, on Friday night time, which was the primary 30-20-20 recreation in NBA historical past.
This recreation reaffirmed Jokić’s place within the MVP dialog, whereas he’s on the lookout for the fourth MVP trophy of his profession. Jokić had one other robust effort with 24 factors, 13 recovered a brand new help on Sunday. However he fought together with his blow after showing to regulate his proper elbow within the first quarter, whereas Gilgeous-Alexander and Thunder acquired the most effective in Nuggets.
Jokić had a wrapping across the bench after hit him on the ground after a foul. He didn’t restrict his availability, as a result of he completed the sport by 41 minutes. He had ice on the elbow in Postgame locker room, however head coach Michael Malone instructed reporters that his elbow was effective.
Nuggets earlier than Aaron Gordon left the sport early with the tightness of the calf and didn’t return. His situation of going ahead was not clear after the match.
Jokić scored 14 of his 24 factors within the first quarter, whereas Nuggets opened a bonus of 29-28. The sport remained virtually till the tip of the third quarter, whereas Oklahoma Metropolis entered the fourth place with an advance of 86-83. However the fourth quarter was the entire thunder.
SGA DAGGER PUMPUATE OKC Dominant four -le quarter
Oklahoma Metropolis drove 9-Zero operating to broaden its benefit to 103-91, with 7:28 left. Then, Gilgeous-Alexander lowered a 7-2 private operating with a Three-pointer that expanded the Oklahoma Metropolis management to 119-101 and put the sport to mattress by 2:14.
With Victoria, Thunder has expanded the most effective Western convention file to 53-11, whereas giving up Nuggets to 41-23. Oklahoma Metropolis is now 12 video games earlier than Nuggets and 40-22 Los Angeles Lakers.
Nuggets and Thunder will meet once more in Oklahoma Metropolis on Monday night time.