Adams strikes foul trouble but OKC win
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a career-high 32 points, and the Oklahoma City Thunder rolled past the Phoenix Suns 126-108 yesterday.
Dennis Schroder scored 24 points and Danilo Gallinari scored 22 for the Thunder, who shot 56.3 per cent from the field. Oklahoma City have won three straight and eight of 11 to even their NBA record at 14-14.
Ricky Rubio scored 24 points for the Suns. Devin Booker returned to Phoenix’s starting lineup after missing three games with a right forearm contusion. He finished with 18 points, seven below his average.
The Thunder had rallied from 26 points down against Chicago to win on Tuesday and from 24 points down against Memphis to claim a victory on Thursday. This time, the Thunder controlled most of the game. Oklahoma City led 57-50 at halftime behind 15 points from Gilgeous-Alexander.
Gallinari hit a three-pointer, was fouled and made the free throw to put the Thunder ahead 77-69 in the third quarter. OKC led 101-91 at the end of the period.
Thunder centre Steven Adams was issued a technical foul in the second quarter for throwing a ball that hit Aron Baynes.
Adams scored 10 points and grabbed nine rebounds, along with two blocks.
The Thunder will host the Los Angeles Clippers and former team-mate Paul George tomorrow.
Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks are proving they are more than a one-man show.
Kristaps Porzingis had 22 points and a career-high 18 rebounds, Tim Hardaway Jr added 27 points and Dallas scored another road win over a top Eastern Conference team without star guard Luka Doncic, dealing the Philadelphia 76ers their second straight home loss, 117-98.
The Mavericks improved to 11-2 on the road despite playing without Doncic. The 20-year-old missed his third straight game with a right ankle sprain. Doncic, one of the league leaders in minutes, points, rebounds and assists, is averaging 29.3 points, 9.3 rebounds and 8.9 assists.
Dallas ended the Bucks’ 18-game winning streak in Milwaukee on Tuesday in Doncic’s absence.
‘‘You never want to be without Luka, and we need him back as soon as possible,‘‘ Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said. ‘‘But as long as he’s out, we have a plan and guys are executing well. We really played together and extremely well. If you’re going to win in this building, you’re going to have to fight and our guys did.’’
Porzingis put his insideoutside game on display again, reaching at least 20 points and 10 rebounds for the fourth straight contest. He said the Mavericks are deep and gelling.
‘‘The chemistry is good in the locker room and on the floor,’’ Porzingis said. ‘‘We got out and do what we’re supposed to and play hard. No secret. We have a great bench and that’s our strength, just so many weapons.’’
Joel Embiid had 33 points and 17 rebounds for Philadelphia, who lost their third in a row overall. The 76ers were booed for much of the night while falling to 14-2 at home. The 76ers suffered their first home loss on Thursday, 108-104 to Miami in a contest in which the Heat stifled Philadelphia with a 2-3 zone.