‘We belong’: Giddey’s OKC warning for NBA
Murray Wenzel |
Josh Giddey and running mate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander have combined again to beat Philadelphia to confirm Oklahoma City’s status as finals dangers in a 133-114 NBA win.
The Australian backed up a sixth career triple-double in his last start, scoring 20 points – 11 of those in the final quarter – and adding eight assists, four rebounds and a steal in the victory on the 76ers’ home court.
Gilgeous-Alexander (37 points, eight rebounds and six assists) starred for the Thunder, who now boast January wins over title-contending trio the Sixers, Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics by a total of 63 points.
Joel Embiid had 30 points and 10 rebounds, James Harden 24 points and 15 assists but OKC had all the answers.
They improved to 19-23 and within reach of a finals play-in berth that would make for some nervous moments for higher-placed rivals.
“I think it shows we belong,” Giddey said.
“We’ve shown we belong with some of the best teams in the league.”
Compatriot Ben Simmons was scoreless in Brooklyn’s 109-98 loss to Boston, but had 10 assists and five rebounds at halftime.
He finished with a season-high 13 and nine, missing all three of his field goal attempts but registering a plus-10 points differential while on court – the only Nets player not in the negatives.
Jayson Tatum collected 20 points, 11 rebounds and five assists as the league-best Celtics pulled away down the stretch.
It was their fifth-straight win and their ninth in 11 games without Jaylen Brown (hip), while Brooklyn were without Kevin Durant (knee) for the first time in what’s expected to be a two-week absence.
Kyrie Irving led the Nets with 24 points as they lost for the second time in their past 16 games.
The Celtics swept the Nets in the first round of last season’s playoffs and have won the last five regular-season meetings between the two teams.
“You want to play the best team and the way they play, they’re very together defensively and offensively,” Simmons said.
“They have some great individuals, but when you put it together they play team basketball.”
In Los Angeles, yet another Luka Doncic triple-double fired Dallas to a double-overtime win over the Lakers.
Doncic had 35 points, 14 rebounds and 13 assists to steer the Mavericks to a 119-115 victory against a Lakers outfit led by Russell Westbrook (28 points) and LeBron James (24).
In other games, Miami toppled Milwaukee 108-102 and Pascal Siakam had 35 points in Toronto’s 124-114 win over Charlotte, who had 32 points and seven assists from LaMelo Ball.
Damian Lillard scored 50 points for Portland but couldn’t prevent a 119-113 home loss to Cleveland.
AAP
