SGA, Kawhi showdown delivers as Thunder escape Clippers in 2-point thriller

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NBA MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads a balanced attack as the Oklahoma City Thunder edge the Kawhi Leonard-led Los Angeles Clippers in a 103-101 thriller

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 26 points and Aaron Wiggins added 19 as the Oklahoma City Thunder extended their winning streak to six games by holding on for a 103-101 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday (Monday, March 24, Manila time).

Isaiah Hartenstein scored 14 points with 10 rebounds and Alex Caruso added 14 points for the Thunder (59-12), who clinched the top seed in the Western Conference last week.

Oklahoma City plays at Sacramento on Tuesday before returning home for six of their next seven games as they make preparations for the upcoming playoffs.

Kawhi Leonard scored 25 points with 10 rebounds and James Harden added 17 points as the Clippers (40-31) saw their five-game winning streak come to an end.

Ivica Zubac scored 15 points with 11 rebounds for the Clippers, who also saw their eight-game home winning streak snapped. Los Angeles was unable to move into a tie for sixth place in the Western Conference with the Golden State Warriors.

The Clippers trailed 81-77 heading into the fourth quarter before taking a 91-90 lead with seven minutes remaining on two free throws from Amir Coffey.

After Gilgeous-Alexander and Leonard exchanged baskets, the Clippers remained in front until the Thunder tied the score 97-97 on a free throw from Cason Wallace with 2:32 left. Oklahoma City went in front 100-99 on a 3-pointer from Caruso with 1:54 on the clock.

Trailing 101-100, the Clippers had multiple chances to take the lead in the final 22 seconds, but Norman Powell missed a 3-point attempt and Leonard was off target on a contested 21-footer.

Gilgeous-Alexander extended the lead to three points against his former team on two free throws with three seconds remaining.

The Clippers got the ball back, but Leonard was intentionally fouled, and after purposefully missing the second free throw, they could not score at the buzzer.

The Clippers turned a productive first quarter into a 34-24 lead before the Thunder responded with a 33-point second quarter to take a 57-51 halftime lead. Gilgeous-Alexander scored 17 points in the half.

Oklahoma City’s second-leading scorer, Jalen Williams (21.3 points), missed his fifth consecutive game with a hip injury. Ousmane Dieng (calf) also was out. – Rappler.com