LAS VEGAS — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 20 of his 32 factors within the second half, and the Oklahoma City 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 profitable streak into Tuesday evening’s ultimate in opposition to the Bucks. Milwaukee defeated the Atlanta Hawks 110-102 within the Eastern Conference semifinal. The title recreation doesn’t rely within the league standings.
Saturday evening’s semifinal pitted two of the highest three defenses within the league in opposition to one another and each offenses struggled within the first half. However the Thunder, led by Gilgeous-Alexander, discovered their groove within the second body, scoring 70 factors to tug away after trailing 42-41 at halftime.
Isaiah Hartenstein added 21 factors for the Thunder, Jalen Williams scored 20 and Luguentz Dort completed with 19 factors and 9 rebounds.
Amen Thompson led Houston with 19 factors, considered one of six Rockets in double figures, and Alperen Sengun had 13 factors and 11 rebounds.
The Rockets and Thunder have two of the three finest data within the Western Conference, making Saturday’s second semifinal a possible playoff preview.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
