OKLAHOMA City Thunder have moved on to the NBA Western Conference semifinals after a 131-122 triumph against Phoenix Suns in Game 4 of their first round series on Monday night (Tuesday in the Philippines) in Phoenix, Arizona.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way with 31 points, including a 9-of-11 free throw shooting, to go with eight assists as the defending champions Thunder closed out the series, 4-0.
Chet Holmgren added a double-double of 24 points and 12 rebounds, Ajay Mitchell tallied 22 points, Isaiah Hartenstein ended with 18 points and 12 rebounds, while Alex Caruso and Cason Wallace tallied 14 and 11, respectively.
After a tightly-contested exchange in the opening quarter, the Thunder started to create separation late in the second period to establish a 75-67 advantage heading into the halftime break.
The Suns managed to keep the game close, only down by nine points early in the fourth quarter, but conversions from Gilgeous-Alexander and Holmgren sealed the win for the Thunder.
Devin Booker top-scored for the Suns with 24 points, Filipino-American guard Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks added 23 markers apiece, while Collin Gillespie and Grayson Allen tallied 20 and 12, respectively.
At Orlando, the No. 8 seed Magic are one win away from knocking off a No. 1 seed Detroit Pistons after a 94-88 win in Game 4 for a 3-1 lead in their best-of-seven Eastern Conference first round series.
Desmond Bane top-scored with 22 points, Franz Wagner added 19 markers before exiting in the third quarter with a calf injury, while Paolo Banchero contributed 18 markers for the Magic.
Cade Cunningham led the Pistons with 25 points, but has turned the ball over eight times, Tobias Harris had 20 markers, and Jalen Duren contributed 12 points and eight rebounds.
Meanwhile, Denver Nuggets kept their season alive after pulling off a 125-113 win over the shorthanded Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 5. The Timberwolves are still ahead in the series, 3-2./PN
