Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads Thunder past Heat, while Anthony Edwards’ late shot lifts Timberwolves over Spurs in Sunday’s NBA action
REIGNING MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder to a 124-112 home victory over the Miami Heat.
Gilgeous-Alexander scored 29 points, adding eight assists and five rebounds as the Thunder improved their league-best record to 33-7.
Oklahoma City outscored Miami 70-53 in the second half to secure the win.
“We locked in defensively. We were finally able to get some stops,” Thunder guard Aaron Wiggins said.
Jalen Williams scored 18 points for the Thunder, while Chet Holmgren added 16 points and nine rebounds.
Andrew Wiggins led the Heat (20-19) with 23 points in the loss.
In another close contest, the Minnesota Timberwolves edged the San Antonio Spurs 104-103.
Anthony Edwards hit the winning bank shot with 16.8 seconds remaining to complete a late fightback.
Edwards finished with 23 points for the Timberwolves, who are now 26-14.
Victor Wembanyama led the Spurs with 29 points, but missed a potential go-ahead shot in the final seconds.
San Antonio (27-12) fell 5.5 games behind the Western Conference-leading Thunder.
The Toronto Raptors also needed overtime to defeat the Philadelphia 76ers 116-115.
Scottie Barnes made the winning free throw with 0.8 seconds left in the extra period.
Barnes led Toronto with 31 points, while Tyrese Maxey scored a game-high 38 for the 76ers.
The New York Knicks snapped the Portland Trail Blazers’ five-game win streak with a 123-114 victory.
Jalen Brunson scored 26 points and O.G. Anunoby added 24 for the Knicks.
Denver’s Aaron Gordon scored 23 points in the Nuggets’ 108-104 win over the Milwaukee Bucks.
Giannis Antetokounmpo had 31 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds for Milwaukee in the loss.
Orlando’s Desmond Bane scored 27 points as the Magic rallied to beat the New Orleans Pelicans 128-118.
Cedric Coward scored a game-high 21 points for the Memphis Grizzlies in their 103-98 win over the Brooklyn Nets.
Royce O’Neale’s 19 points led the Phoenix Suns to a 112-93 victory over the Washington Wizards.
