Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was instrumental in the Thunder’s win over the Wizards
The team originally slated to fill the NBA’s bottom spots, the Oklahoma City Thunder have campaigned above mainstream expectations and are in the fight for a playoff berth. That Wednesday, the team beat the Washington Wizards on the road 121-120, with a decisive three-pointer in the last second from Canadian point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander the team highlight – he scored 39 more points on the night.
Another player with a night to remember was point guard Stephen Curry of the defending champion Golden State Warriors. He scored 50 points against the Phoenix Suns on the road, but the home side won 130-119, with 29 points from point guard Cameron Payne. The Suns remain in contention for the top spot in the Western Conference, while the Warriors remain inconsistent this season.
On the eight other matches of the night, highlights for the triumphs of the leaders of the East. The Boston Celtics are the team with the best streak in the NBA and won their eighth straight by beating the Atlanta Hawks on the road 126-101, with 19 points from wing Jayson Tatum.
Already the Milwaukee Bucks, vice-leaders of the East, received the Cleveland Cavaliers and won by 113 to 98, with 29 points from pivot Brook Lopez. Third in the West, the Denver Nuggets were defeated at home by the New York Knicks 106-103, with a double-double of 34 points and 11 rebounds from forward Julius Randle.
The Toronto Raptors received the Miami Heat and won 112-104, thanks to a double-double of 32 points and ten rebounds from English winger OG Anunoby. The Dallas Mavericks, who spared Slovenian goaltender Luka Doncic, were upset at home and defeated by the Houston Rockets 101-92, with a double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds from goaltender Kevin Porter Jr.
At home, the New Orleans Pelicans beat the Chicago Bulls 124-110, with 23 points from CJ McCollum. The Indiana Pacers went to North Carolina and won by 125-113, with a double-double of 22 points and 11 assists from guard Tyrese Haliburton.
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