Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) appears to be like to shoot towards Houston Rockets heart Steven Adams, left, in the course of the first half of a semifinal sport within the NBA Cup basketball match Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Picture/Ian Maule)
LAS VEGAS — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 20 of his 32 factors within the second half, and the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder pulled away late Saturday evening to defeat the Houston Rockets 111-96 and advance to the NBA Cup championship.
The Thunder take a five-game successful streak into Tuesday evening’s last towards the Bucks. Milwaukee defeated the Atlanta Hawks 110-102 within the Japanese Convention semifinal. The title sport doesn’t rely within the league standings.
Article continues after this commercial
Isaiah Hartenstein added 21 factors for the Thunder, Jalen Williams scored 20 and Luguentz Dort completed with 19 factors and 9 rebounds.
READ: NBA Cup: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder rip Mavericks to advance
SGA, THUNDER PUNCH THEIR TICKET. 🎟️🎰
⛈️ 32 PTS
⛈️ 8 REB
⛈️ 6 AST
⛈️ 5 STLOKC will face the Bucks within the #EmiratesNBACup Championship Tuesday at 8:30pm/et on ABC 🏆 pic.twitter.com/Z2mrxqueCn
— NBA (@NBA) December 15, 2024
Amen Thompson led Houston with 19 factors, considered one of six Rockets in double figures, and Alperen Sengun had 13 factors and 11 rebounds.
Article continues after this commercial
The Rockets and Thunder have two of the three greatest data within the Western Convention, making Saturday’s second semifinal a possible playoff preview.
Takeaways
Rockets: Fred VanVleet’s 3-point taking pictures woes continued. He made 6 of 29 in his earlier three video games and missed his first 9 pictures from 3 and completed 1 of 11 towards OKC.
Thunder: Gilgeous-Alexander entered this sport averaging 30.2 factors and taking pictures 51.5% however struggled to search out his offensive sport early. He discovered a method to get to the free throw line, making 14 of 15 to assist surpass his season common.
READ: NBA: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder overpower Raptors
Key second
Oklahoma Metropolis went on a 13-3 run to go forward 97-82 with 4:57 left and break open what was a detailed sport.
Key stat
The Thunder scored 70 factors within the second half. That second-half surge enabled Oklahoma Metropolis to show a 42-41 halftime deficit into a reasonably simple victory.
Up subsequent
The Thunder will play Milwaukee in Tuesday’s championship sport earlier than returning to common season play on Thursday at Orlando. The Rockets additionally return to common season play on Thursday towards New Orleans.
Your subscription couldn’t be saved. Please attempt once more.
Your subscription has been profitable.
