Oklahoma City Thunder’s NBA winning streak at nine as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ties career high with 45

INDIANA – The Oklahoma City Thunder’s winning formula is simple – be hungry and play as a team.

On Dec 26, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander matched his career high with 45 points to lead the team over the Indiana Pacers 120-114 on the road, stretching their National Basketball Association (NBA) winning streak to nine games.

The 26-year-old Canadian guard made 15 of 22 shots from the floor, four of five from three-point range, and all 11 of his free throws, while adding seven rebounds, eight assists, two blocked shots and a steal in a masterful performance.

“It’s the extra plays that put you over the edge,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “We have a group of guys hungry to do whatever it takes to win and that’s why we win.”

Jalen Williams added 20 points and Isaiah Hartenstein contributed 11 points and 13 rebounds for Oklahoma City in his 11th double-double of the season.

The Western Conference-leading Thunder are 24-5 and on a roll, despite a loss in the NBA Cup final to the Milwaukee Bucks that does not count against them in the regular season.

“The main thing is it’s genuine,” said Hartenstein.

“We’re not trying to put something on for the TV or for the world to see. We’re really supporting each other and I think that’s what makes it special.”

Andrew Nembhard led the Pacers (15-16) with 23 points at home. Indiana took a 61-53 half-time lead before the Thunder struck in the second half and closed the game on a 17-7 run for the victory.

“We didn’t get off to the start we wanted,” Gilgeous-Alexander added. “But that’s what good teams do, play through situations and because we did that, we got the W.”

The guard, who set his career high of 45 points in a November victory over the Los Angeles Clippers, sank a three-pointer to give Oklahoma City a 114-109 edge with 59 seconds remaining and sank six free throws in the final 36 seconds to seal the triumph.

His crucial three-pointer came after extra work on his outside shooting and confidence to keep firing after a miss.

“It feels good, but that’s what the work is about,” he said.

“It went in because I took the shot. In the past, I probably would have gotten discouraged missing one and not shooting it, but I would like to think I’ve grown a bit, enough to trust in my work, take a shot, stay true to it and it paid off tonight.

“But it’s about continuing to push forward. I’m going to miss some and I’m going to make some. You’ve always got to stay shooting.”

Elsewhere in a Florida showdown, Tyler Herro sank a jump shot with 0.5 of a second remaining to give the Miami Heat a thrilling 89-88 triumph over the hosts Orlando Magic.

Herro scored 20 points to lead the Heat, whose president Pat Riley said hours earlier that the team have no plans to trade All-Star forward Jimmy Butler.

“It was a very important win,” said Herro. “Everyone played and contributed well and (about my game-winning shot) I just wanted to get into my sweet spot and I got the shot I wanted.”

In Washington, the second-worst team in the NBA, the Wizards, improved to 5-23 by beating the Charlotte Hornets 113-110 as Jordan Poole scored 25 points, including the go-ahead three-pointer for Washington with 8.1 seconds remaining.

Hosts Atlanta got 30 points and 15 rebounds from Jalen Johnson and 27 points and 13 assists from Trae Young in a 141-133 Hawks triumph over Chicago. Zach LaVine had 37 points in a losing cause for the Bulls.

The Houston Rockets, led by 30 points from Jalen Green and 27 off the bench by Cam Whitmore, beat the New Orleans Pelicans on the road 128-111.

With Bucks stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard out due to illness, Milwaukee lost at home to Brooklyn 111-105 as Cameron Johnson led the Nets with 29 points.

Zach Edey had 21 points and 16 rebounds and Jaren Jackson Jr added 21 points and 11 rebounds to spark the Memphis Grizzlies over the visiting Toronto Raptors 155-126. AFP