Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Starred within the win over Oklahoma with 22 factors. With the win, OKC (39–42) moved one step nearer to sealing a spot within the play-in match, whereas the Jazz (36–44) have been eradicated from post-season rivalry.
Josh Giddy contributed 17 factors, eight rebounds and eight assists for the Thunder. Eight OKC gamers scored no less than 9 factors in highway wins.
The Thunder will clinch a play-in spot with a win in opposition to Memphis on Sunday afternoon.
Chris Dunn completed with 22 factors, eight assists and 7 boards, whereas Kelly Olynyk totaled 16 factors, 14 rebounds and eight assists to tempo the Jazz.
Utah, taking part in with out 4 starters, almost overcame an early 16-point deficit, however couldn’t overtake the Thunder within the third quarter after coming inside one level on 5 separate events.
OKC jumped out to its largest lead of 18 by opening on a ten–0 run early within the fourth quarter, which was capped by a Dario Saric 3 with 10:31 remaining. Saric had 14 factors and 10 rebounds with two blocked photographs.
Utah responded with seven straight by Johnny Jujang to make it an 11-point sport, however that was the Jazz’s final push.
Isaiah Joe went on a 10-0 run within the second quarter with two free throws and a 3-pointer to offer the Thunder a forty five–29 lead.
Utah held OKC to 1 basket within the closing 3:58 of the primary half, whereas utilizing a 14–2 scoring burst to slender the margin to a few, 55–52, on the break.
After thwarting the Jazz’s comeback makes an attempt, the Thunder took an 84–76 lead within the closing interval.
Oklahoma Metropolis gained regardless of capturing solely 40.2 p.c from the sphere. The large distinction got here from past the arc, the place the Thunder hit 15 of 45 3s in comparison with a virtually 5-for-31 3-point-shooting night time for Utah.
(With Reuters inputs)