Oklahoma City Thunder Extend Winning Streak Against Detroit Pistons

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 119-103 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night, marking their 11th consecutive win. Gilgeous-Alexander scored 33 points, while teammates Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren contributed 23 and 22 points, respectively. Holmgren also had a double-double performance, adding 11 rebounds and five blocks. The Thunder’s dominant performance helped them maintain a three-game lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers in the race for the best record in the league with just six games remaining. This win also solidified their hopes of securing homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs.

Pistons Struggle Without Key Players

The Detroit Pistons were without their All-Star guard, Cade Cunningham, who was sidelined due to a bruised left calf. The team also faced a depleted roster as three players missed the game due to suspensions stemming from an altercation with the Minnesota Timberwolves earlier in the week. Forward Ron Holland II and guard Marcus Sasser served their suspensions, while forward/center Isaiah Stewart began serving the first game of his two-game suspension. Tim Hardaway Jr. stepped up for the Pistons, scoring 23 points, but Detroit was unable to keep up with the Thunder’s offensive firepower. Despite a strong effort, the Pistons’ defense faltered in key moments, particularly when Oklahoma City went on a 10-0 run to start the second half.

Thunder’s Strong First Half and Dominant Second Half

Oklahoma City led 65-59 at halftime, thanks in part to Lu Dort’s tip-in at the buzzer. The Thunder continued their impressive play into the second half, starting with a 10-0 run to extend their lead to 75-59. Although Detroit made a late push, cutting the deficit to just four points in the fourth quarter, Oklahoma City closed the game with a strong performance to secure the win. The Thunder’s success against Eastern Conference teams this season was noteworthy. With a 29-1 record against the East, they boast the best winning percentage in league history against teams from the opposing conference.

Miami Heat Streak Extends with Win Over Celtics

The Miami Heat extended their season-best winning streak to six games with a 124-103 win over the Boston Celtics. Tyler Herro led the charge with 25 points and nine assists, while Bam Adebayo added 21 points. The Heat’s offensive depth was on display, as seven players finished in double figures during the victory. Miami’s win came after a tough stretch in which they lost 10 straight games. The team’s turnaround was especially impressive given the absence of key players, including Andrew Wiggins, Duncan Robinson, and Kevin Love. The Celtics, on the other hand, saw their nine-game win streak snapped, despite strong individual performances from Jaylen Brown (24 points) and Jayson Tatum (16 points).

Cavaliers Rally to Beat Knicks and Secure Franchise Milestone

The Cleveland Cavaliers also had a big night, defeating the New York Knicks 124-105. Donovan Mitchell scored 27 points, and Jarrett Allen added 21 as the Cavaliers matched the second-most wins in franchise history with 61. This victory placed them in a commanding position, with a five-game lead over the Celtics for the top seed in the Eastern Conference. Cleveland’s rally came after a sluggish first half, as they trailed 60-53 at halftime. However, they took control in the third quarter, outscoring the Knicks and going on a 15-2 run late in the third and early in the fourth. The Cavaliers’ victory marked an important step toward securing homecourt advantage for the playoffs.