Thunder cruise to victory over skidding Raptors

Field Level Media|published: Fri 22nd March, 21:40 2024

Mar 22, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Gordon Hayward (33) goes to pass the ball as Toronto Raptors guard Gradey Dick (1) looks on during the first half at Scotiabank Arena. credits: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 23 points in his homecoming and the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder overcame a slow start to defeat the short-handed Toronto Raptors 123-103 on Friday.

Gilgeous-Alexander is a Toronto native who grew up in nearby Hamilton, Ontario.

Chet Holmgren added 18 points and 10 rebounds for the Thunder (49-20), who have won four in a row. Jalen Williams scored 20 points, Cason Wallace and Kenrich Williams contributed 12 points apiece, and Josh Giddey and Luguentz Dort each had 10 points.

Gradey Dick scored 21 points for the Raptors (23-47), who have lost nine straight. Kelly Olynyk added 16 points, and Ochai Agbaji and Jordan Nwora both put up 12. Rookie Javon Freeman-Liberty scored 10 points in his first NBA start, and Bruce Brown also had 10.

Gary Trent Jr. (back) was among the missing for Toronto, a list that included Scottie Barnes (hand), Jakob Poeltl (finger), RJ Barrett (personal) and Immanuel Quickley (personal).

The Thunder, who trailed by 11 points in the first quarter, took an 11-point lead into the fourth quarter. Nwora's layup cut the deficit to nine, and Jontay Porter sank a 3-pointer that sliced the margin to six with 9:15 to play.

Oklahoma City rallied, and Gordon Hayward's 3-pointer put the Thunder ahead by 17 points with 4:53 to go.

Dick scored 13 points to help Toronto take a 35-28 lead after a fast-paced first quarter.

The Thunder opened the second quarter on a 15-2 run. The lead reached eight with 7:21 to play in the half on a spectacular alley-oop dunk by Jalen Williams after a steal by Wallace.

A Gilgeous-Alexander jumper bumped the margin to 12 before Toronto answered with back-to-back 3-pointers. Jalen Williams scored the final two points of the first half with a layup that gave Oklahoma City a 63-56 lead.

The Thunder opened the third quarter with a 7-0 surge to lead by 14 points. The Raptors responded with six straight points.

Holmgren's 3-pointer gave Oklahoma City a 17-point lead with 7:35 to play in the quarter. Holmgren hit another 3-pointer to complete a 12-0 run that stretched the lead to 20 with 5:10 remaining.

Toronto came back to trim the margin to 12 on a 3-pointer from Garrett Temple. The Thunder responded with five consecutive points. The Raptors took their turn and scored the final six points of the third quarter and Oklahoma City led 89-78.

—Field Level Media

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