Australia’s Josh Giddey continued his hot streak with another double-double as his Oklahoma City Thunder blew away an injury-hit San Antonio Spurs 127-89.
Giddey had 20 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists in 29 minutes in the blowout win on 7-12 shooting, with the Thunder up by 23 points after the first quarter.
The Spurs were without superstar Victor Wembanyama and were never in the contest, with Zach Collins their topscorer with 20 points and seven boards. Spurs managed just 35 points on 28.6% shooting in the first half – the best defensive record for the Thunder in a half this season.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way for the Thunder with 26 points in just 26 minutes, having scored 40 the night prior, but OKC were more than happy to bench their starters in the middle of the third quarter – this being their third game in four nights.
The win was Oklahoma City’s 55th of the season, the first time they had reached that mark since 2015-16.
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It also keeps alive their slim hopes of winning the number one seed in the West, with two games still to play.
Giddey opened up on his impressive form after the win, comparing it to his struggles earlier in the season.
He said: “The problem for me earlier in the year was I kind of went in predetermined to do something [in games] and I thought that was what was hurting me. Going in with a plan is not the way to do it because defences throw different looks at you.
“I’ve seen different coverages … not going in with a plan, just taking what the defence gives me – whether that’s score, rebound, push the ball in transition, get other guys looks.
“It’s taking the game as it comes and playing every possession on its own.
“I thought earlier in the year I would sometimes already have this idea of what I was going to do coming into the game but now I’ve relaxed, let the game come to me and take every possession as it comes.”
Meanwhile, Nikola Jokic scored 41 points as the Denver Nuggets reclaimed pole position in the Western Conference playoff race with a 116-107 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in their top-of-the-table clash on Wednesday.
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In a hard-fought showdown in Denver that saw the lead change hands 15 times, the Nuggets finally pulled clear in the fourth quarter to seal victory.
The result means Denver, the reigning NBA champions, lead the Western Conference by one game with two regular-season fixtures remaining.
With their final opponents lowly ranked Memphis and San Antonio, Denver (56-24) are now heavy favourites to finish top of the West and seal the No.1 seeding and home advantage through the playoffs.
“We found a way to win, our defence in the fourth quarter was amazing,” Jokic told ESPN, before downplaying the significance of Denver’s return to the top.
“It’s important to be honest, but the West is really, really, really tough. We could play the Los Angeles Lakers or Golden State in the first round — they’re all good teams.”
Jokic, who also had 11 rebounds, seven assists and three steals, was backed by 20 points from Jamal Murray while Michael Porter Jr. added 18.
Anthony Edwards led Minnesota’s scoring with 25 points while Mike Conley added 19. Rudy Gobert and Naz Reid finished with 13 points apiece.
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Minnesota’s defeat dropped them into third place in the West behind Oklahoma City Thunder. Although the Timberwolves and OKC have identical records of 55-25 with two games remaining, the Thunder hold the tie-breaker by virtue of the better divisional record.
Oklahoma City moved into second place on Wednesday after swatting aside the San Antonio Spurs 127-89, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scoring 26 points in a 38-point beat down of the bottom-ranked Spurs (20-60).
SUNS BOUNCE BACK
The Phoenix Suns bounced back from their 105-92 home defeat to the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday with a comprehensive 124-108 win on the road in the return fixture.
Devin Booker’s 37-point effort drove Phoenix to victory with Kevin Durant adding 24 and Bradley Beal 26.
The win leaves Phoenix with a fighting chance of reaching the automatic playoff places with two games remaining.
The seventh-placed Suns are on 47-33, just behind New Orleans, who occupy the last automatic postseason spot in the West in sixth with a 47-32 record.
Despite the win Booker believes Phoenix still have plenty of room for improvement with the postseason looming.
“I don’t know if it was a great response,” Booker said. “I think we still started the game a little slow. It’s been our problem all season.”
Phoenix’s victory means both Golden State and the Los Angeles Lakers must go through the play-in repechage to earn a place in the playoffs.
KNICKS GET PLAYOFF SPOT
The Dallas Mavericks reeled off their fifth straight win with a 111-92 defeat of the Miami Heat. Luka Doncic scored 29 points for Dallas in a result which ensured the New York Knicks clinched a playoff place in the East.
Elsewhere in the Eastern Conference, the Milwaukee Bucks shrugged off the disappointment of losing Giannis Antetokounmpo to injury on Tuesday to defeat the Orlando Magic 117-99.
Bobby Portis weighed in with a 30-point performance while Damian Lillard added 29 for the Bucks, who are closing in on the No.2 seed in the East with two games of the regular season remaining.
The win left Bucks coach Doc Rivers singing the praises of Portis and guard Patrick Beverley, who finished with 13 points, eight rebounds and six assists.
“They’re both nuts, in a very good way,” Rivers said of Portis and Beverley. “I like guys like them who can be that way but still be under control. They give the team energy — they’re natural instigators.
“It’s not fake, it’s what they do. But they’re not trying to do it — they just do it. Having guys like that on your team is invaluable.”