Oklahoma City Thunder’s NBA winning streak hits 10 but Detroit Pistons’ ends at 13
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Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander celebrates after scoring against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second half at Paycom Center.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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MIAMI – Reigning National Basketball Association (NBA) Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander fought through illness to score 40 points and lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 10th consecutive victory on Nov 26, while the Detroit Pistons’ 13-game winning streak was snapped.
Gilgeous-Alexander, questionable with illness until game time, added six rebounds, six assists and three steals, as the defending champions became only the fifth team in league history to start a season 18-1 or better by outlasting the Minnesota Timberwolves 113-105 in the NBA Cup at home.
“We’re just taking it day by day, taking the challenge by the challenge,” the star guard said. “Whatever it is, we find a way to come out on top and I’m impressed by this group’s ability to do so.”
The Pistons, however, had their winning run ended in Boston, where a missed Cade Cunningham free throw in the final seconds proved pivotal in a 117-114 loss to the Celtics.
Jaylen Brown scored 33 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, while Derrick White added a season-high 27 points, 25 in the second half, as Boston improved to 10-8 on the eve of Thanksgiving in the US.
“Really makes a statement,” White said. “It’s fun. We can enjoy Thanksgiving, then we’ve got another challenge.”
In Oklahoma City, Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards and Gilgeous-Alexander staged a classic duel, with Edwards settling for 31 points in defeat.
Edwards made a three-pointer with 62 seconds remaining to lift the Timberwolves to within 105-104, but the Thunder’s Chet Holmgren made a three-pointer and Gilgeous-Alexander sank three free throws to break away for the win.
“We had control of the game early, but we knew they were going to fight,” Gilgeous-Alexander, 27, added.
“It just took us making plays at both ends of the floor down the stretch, figuring out a way to come out of here with a W and we did so.”
As for his illness, the Canadian looked forward to a holiday revival.
“I’m good. I’m tired,” he said. “Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. I’ll get a lot of food and fuel in me and I’ll be OK.”
The Thunder, unbeaten at home, rose to 3-0 in NBA Cup West Group A and can complete a group sweep with a home victory on Nov 28 (Nov 29 morning, Singapore time) over the Phoenix Suns.
All the games on Nov 26 were part of the NBA Cup mid-season tournament, which ends group play on Nov 28.
The Toronto Raptors have clinched the East Group A crown and the Los Angeles Lakers have taken the West Group B title.
All group winners and a wildcard team from each conference advance to the knockout stage, which starts on Dec 9.
Minnesota were eliminated from NBA Cup contention by the loss and a 133-128 Memphis Grizzlies’ overtime road win over the New Orleans Pelicans.
In Boston, Cunningham’s game-high tally of 42 points was not enough for Eastern Conference leaders Detroit (15-3).
The visitors missed out on a club-record 14th consecutive victory, instead sharing the 13-game winning streak mark with the 1989-90 and 2003-04 squads, who went on to win the championship.
The Pistons’ loss left Orlando alone atop East Group B in the NBA Cup at 3-0 with a showdown against the Magic on Nov 28 in Detroit. AFP
