Huge third quarter carries Thunder past Heat

Field Level Media|published: Fri 8th March, 22:56 2024

Mar 8, 2024; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) lays up a shot in front of Miami Heat forward Duncan Robinson (55) during the first quarter at Paycom Center. credits: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 37 points to help the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 107-100 win over the Miami Heat on Friday in Oklahoma City.

The win was the ninth in 11 games for the Thunder, who swept the two-game season series with the Heat.

It was the Thunder's first win over Miami in Oklahoma City since March 2018.

The Heat have dropped back-to-back games after winning seven of eight.

Miami led by 10 at halftime Friday but the Thunder dominated the third quarter to take control.

The win was Oklahoma City's league-leading 14th after trailing by double figures.

The Heat led 65-51 early in the third before Josh Giddey hit a 3-pointer to ignite a 17-0 Oklahoma City run that put the Thunder back up front.

Gilgeous-Alexander was at the center of the stretch, finding Giddey for the initial 3-pointer, lunging for a steal from Duncan Robinson and hitting a step-back shot at the other end, hitting two other shots in the stretch before finally finding Jalen Williams for a 3-pointer to put the Thunder ahead 68-65.

The Heat cut the deficit to one three times in the fourth quarter but couldn't overcome Oklahoma City's third-quarter push.

The Heat missed seven consecutive shots and committed five turnovers during the decisive stretch, while Gilgeous-Alexander scored 11 in the third. Miami shot just 29.4 percent from the floor in the third after shooting 50 percent in the first half.

The Thunder finished with 28 assists and just nine turnovers — two after halftime.

The Heat rebounded in the fourth, going 11 of 21 from the field, but Gilgeous-Alexander helped the Thunder maintain control.

Patty Mills had a significant impact quickly in his Heat debut, days after signing with the team.

Mills sparked Miami to a 10-point halftime lead with 11 second-quarter points on 4-of-5 shooting. The veteran finished with 13 points in less than 16 minutes.

Jaime Jaquez Jr. led Miami with 25 points on 10-of-13 shooting while Jimmy Butler added 20 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists.

—Field Level Media

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