IN a potential NBA Finals preview, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tossed in 34 points and Chet Holmgren added 23 points and 15 rebounds to lead the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder over the Boston Celtics 118-112 on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila).
Oklahoma City, which outscored Boston 30-24 in the fourth quarter, has won eight of its past nine games. The result ended Boston’s five-game winning streak.
The game was tied at 98 with 8:12 to play, but the Thunder took control by scoring 15 of the next 19 points. Seven Oklahoma City players scored in double figures.
Jayson Tatum led Boston with 33 points, eight rebounds and eight assists. The Celtics received 22 points and eight rebounds from Derrick White, while Al Horford added 18 points and 10 rebounds.
In other games, it was the Wolves 115, Nuggets 95; Knicks 114, Blazers 113 (OT); Rockets 111, Suns 104; Grizzlies 122, Jazz 115; Clippers 119, Heat 104; Raptors 118, Sixers 105; Hawks 123, Hornets 110; and Spurs 126, Mavs 116.
Wolves 115, Nuggets 95
Anthony Edwards scored 29 points, Julius Randle added 25 and visiting Minnesota beat Denver for its season-high sixth win in a row.
Jaden McDaniels contributed 16 points while Rudy Gobert had 11 points and 10 rebounds for the Timberwolves, who have beaten the Nuggets five straight times dating back to the 2024 playoffs.
Nikola Jokic had 34 points and eight rebounds and Russell Westbrook scored 19 points for the Nuggets, who fell into a tie with the Memphis Grizzlies for second place in the Western Conference. Denver struggled from deep, making just 7 of 30 shots (23.3 percent).
Knicks 114, Blazers 113 (OT)
Mikal Bridges scored 33 points and drilled the winning 3-pointer as time expired in overtime to give New York a victory over host Portland.
Deni Avdija Avdija (27 points, 15 rebounds) converted a three-point play with 3.4 seconds left to put Portland ahead by two before the Knicks ran a play for Bridges, who finished off a stellar 13-of-21 shooting effort with the decisive trey.
OG Anunoby recorded 23 points and seven rebounds, Karl-Anthony Towns had 21 points and seven boards and Josh Hart contributed 11 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists for the Knicks. Scoot Henderson scored 20 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter and overtime for Portland, which lost its fifth straight.
