Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 34 points in three quarters, and the Oklahoma City Thunder established league and equipment records in a 149-106 victory over Denver’s Nuggets on Wednesday night that drew the semifinal series of the West Conference in one game each.
Oklahoma City established a NBA playoff record for the points of the first half with 87, surpassing the 86 scored by the Cleveland Cavaliers against the Golden State Warriors in game 4 of the NBA finals on June 9, 2017. Chet Holmgren, who lost two critical shooting in the game 1 quarter to establish the record and give the 87 -year leaders.
The Thunder tied the points record in any half of a playoff game. Milwaukee had 87 in the second half against Denver on April 23, 1978.
Oklahoma City became the first local team to win a game in the second round. Game 3 is Friday at Denver.
Gilgeous-Alexander made 11 or 13 field goals, the 11 or his free throws and had eight assists. He led eight players who scored in double figures.
Russell Westbrook led the Nuggets with 19 points. Nikola Jokic, who had 42 points and 22 rebounds for Denver in a victory of game 1, only 17 points and eight rebounds on Wednesday before dirtying ends in the third quarter.
The crowd chewed Westbrook, the former star of the century, when he entered the game 1 as a reserve for Denver, but booed shortly after entering the game 2. Westbrook was called for a technical foul moments later, and Gilgouse-Alexander made it 3ROW to do it.
The Thunder led 45-21 at the end of the first quarter after firing 71.4% from the field and establishing a team of points in a room in a playoff game.
Oklahoma City continued its domain in the second quarter. A Gilgous-Alexander lobe Jalen Williams for a two-handed jam gave the Thunder an advantage of 78-43.
Oklahoma City led 124-76 after three quarters. The largest advantage was 49 points.
Associated Press reports.
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