The Oklahoma City Thunder simply refused to take no for an answer on Friday night, defeating the Chicago Bulls by a final score of 127-125.
The contest required overtime, which the young Thunder were able to force after trailing by as many as 22 points in the contest and erasing a16-point deficit with less than five minutes remaining in the game’s fourth quarter.
In the end, there was just too much Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for Chicago to handle, as the neophyte turned in a career-high 33 points to go along with five rebounds and 10 assists. He shot an efficient 13-for-19 from the field and converted an overtime-forcing and-1 with about 16 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. That was after the Thunder stormed all the way back from a deficit that seemed insurmountable.
Lu Dort was also a bright spot, to say the least. He shot 4-for-11 from 3-point territory en route to putting together an impressive line: 21 points, eight rebounds and six steals.
The come-from-behind victory prevented a three-game win streak, as the Thunder improve to 6-6 on the season.
Down by 22. Thunder scraps and fights and earns the home W in OT. pic.twitter.com/4OxChCZ3Pu
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) January 16, 2021
Chicago was led by Zach LaVine, who turned in an impressive 35-point, seven-rebound, six-assist effort. He led the way, but all five Bulls starters scored double-figures.
Unfortunately for former Thunder head coach Billy Donovan, his first regular season game in Oklahoma City as an opposing coach ended on a sour note.
What. A. Dub.
FINAL
CHI 125 – OKC 126SGA 33p 10a 5r
Dort 21p 8r 6s
Roby 14p 4r 3a
K. Williams 14p 5r 2a 2s
Moose 11p 6r
Maledon 10p 3r 2a
Bazley 9p 5r 2a 2s#ThunderUp— Zack Low (@ZacharyLowNBA) January 16, 2021
