Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 37 points to help the Oklahoma City Thunder extend their winning streak to nine with a 122-95 home victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday.
The Trail Blazers are the only team to beat the Thunder this season.
When the teams met Nov. 5 in Portland, Oklahoma City jumped out to an early 22-point lead before Portland climbed back into the game. Sunday’s game started similarly.
The Thunder jumped out to an early lead thanks to a sizzling start from Gilgeous-Alexander.
The reigning NBA MVP had a steal on the game’s second possession, then gave Oklahoma City the lead for what proved to be for good with a step-back jumper just more than three minutes in.
By the end of the first quarter, Gilgeous-Alexander had 17 points on 6-of-7 shooting, two steals and an assist to help the Thunder lead by 21.
The Blazers went the last 2:31 of the quarter without a bucket, going 0 for 4 during a 12-2 run by Oklahoma City to end the frame.
The Thunder scored 11 points off five Portland turnovers in the quarter.
The Blazers never got closer than 16 the rest of the way and Oklahoma City led by as many as 36.
Gilgeous-Alexander finished 13 of 18 from the field, hitting all nine of his free throws, with seven assists and five rebounds.
Ajay Mitchell scored 20 points off the bench for Oklahoma City, which improved to 8-0 at home in picking up its 17th win in 18 games to start the season.
Mitchell was 8 for 8 from the field as the Thunder shot 52.3% after shooting a season-high 61.4% in Friday’s win over Utah.
With 10 points, Isaiah Joe was the only other Thunder player to score in double figures, as 12 finished with at least five points. Isaiah Hartenstein grabbed a game-high 15 rebounds.
With the Thunder up by 28 after three, neither Gilgeous-Alexander nor Luguentz Dort played any of the fourth quarter.
Portland, which shot just 37% from the field and 25.5% from 3-point range, lost for the fifth time in six games. The Blazers were led by 21 points from Jerami Grant. Deni Avdija missed 12 of 16 shots from the field and finished with 11 points.
–Field Level Media
