Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 40 points (19 in the third quarter), and the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder went on a 17-6 run in the fourth quarter to beat the Orlando Magic 113-108 for their ninth straight win.
The Magic had gone on a 9-0 run to lead 90-89 when Ajay Mitchell’s hook shot put the Thunder ahead for good with 8:05 left. He scored 7 points as they pulled away to a 106-96 lead with 2:21 left.
During clutch time, the Thunder outscored the Magic 5-3. Late in the fourth quarter, Alex Caruso had 2 steals, and the Thunder scored 2 points off them.
Chet Holmgren had 20 points (16 in the paint) and 12 rebounds.
For the Magic, Paolo Banchero had 32 points and 10 rebounds.
The Thunder went 24 for 27 at the line to the Magic’s 17 for 20 and outscored them 54-32 in the paint. The Thunder outscored the Magic 21-6 in 6 minutes with Caruso, Gilgeous-Alexander, Holmgren, Williams and Wallace on the floor together.