OKLAHOMA City Thunder moved closer to another Western Conference finals appearance after dismantling Los Angeles Lakers, 131-108, in Game 3 of their NBA Western Conference semifinal series on Saturday night in Los Angeles.
Ajay Mitchell delivered the best playoff performance of his young career with 24 points and 10 assists as the defending champions stretched their unbeaten postseason run to seven games.
Reigning MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 23 points and nine assists, while Chet Holmgren chipped in 18 points and nine rebounds for Oklahoma City, which now holds a commanding 3-0 series lead.
The Thunder once again pulled away in the second half after the Lakers stayed within striking distance early. Oklahoma City dominated the third quarter, 33-20, before cruising the rest of the way.
Los Angeles briefly grabbed the lead at halftime behind Rui Hachimura, who finished with 21 points, but the Lakers failed to sustain the momentum against the relentless Thunder attack.
LeBron James tallied 19 points, eight assists, and six rebounds, Austin Reaves contributed 17 points and nine assists. Luke Kennard supplied 18 points for the Lakers, who have now dropped five of their last six games dating back to the opening round against Houston.
In Cleveland, James Harden hit three clutch shots in the final two minutes as the Cavaliers beat Detroit 116-109 on Saturday to cut the Pistons’ lead to 2-1 in the Eastern Conference semifinal series.
Harden bounced back from two mistake-marred performances to finish with 19 points and Jarrett Allen scored 18 for the Cavaliers, who will look to even the series when they host Game 4 on Monday night.
Donovan Mitchell top-scored for the Cavs 35 points, reaching 2,000 career postseason points in his 73rd game, tied for third-fastest among active players and ninth in NBA history.
Detroit’s Cade Cunningham had his second career postseason triple-double with 27 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, but also committed eight turnovers. Tobias Harris added 21 points.
In other results, New York Knicks surged to a 3-0 series lead with a 108-94 victory over Philadelphia 76ers, while San Antonio Spurs took a 2-1 lead with a 115-108 triumph against Minnesota Timberwolves./PN
