Thunder set NBA playoff record for first-half points with 87 vs. Denver in Game 2 of West semis

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder set an NBA playoff report for first-half factors with 87 in opposition to the Denver Nuggets in Sport 2 of their Western Convention semifinal collection Wednesday night time.

Oklahoma Metropolis surpassed the earlier report of 86 set by the Cleveland Cavaliers in opposition to the Golden State Warriors in Sport 4 of the NBA Finals on June 9, 2017. Chet Holmgren, who missed two essential free throws late in Sport 1, made a pair with a second remaining to set the report.

Commercial

The Thunder tied the report for factors in any half of a playoff sport on their way to a 149-106 win. Milwaukee had 87 within the second half in opposition to Denver on April 23, 1978.

The Thunder shot 58.8% from the sector and made 17 of 18 free throws to take an 87-56 lead on the break. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the best way with 18 factors. All 5 Thunder starters scored in double figures within the first half.

Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 34 factors and eight assists in three quarters.

Oklahoma Metropolis turned the primary workforce to publish two wins by at the least 40 factors in a postseason. The Thunder rolled past Memphis 131-80 in Game 1 of their first-round collection.

Commercial

“This is a team that does that,” Denver interim coach David Adelman mentioned. “There’s a reason why they have historic plus-minus numbers throughout the season as they put people away. So you’ve got to have a much better start than that. We can’t come out like that.”

It was a dramatic change from Denver’s 121-119 victory in Game 1. Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said his team looked sharper and took advantage of having learned more about the Nuggets.

“I didn’t really look at tonight as a response as much as I looked at tonight as just us being who we are, and that’s how we’ve been all season,” Daigneault said. “We don’t really respond to the last game. When we win, we don’t have more confidence. When we lose, we don’t have more urgency. I think this team has a really good baseline that we just try to return to every day when the sun comes up and we have a game. And I thought that’s what tonight was.”

___

AP NBA: