BBNBA: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Stays Steady in Thunder Win Over Wizards

bbnba-shai-gilgeous-alexander-steady-thunder-win-wizards — Photo by Geoff Burke | USA TODAY Sports

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to make a strong case for MVP.

The former Kentucky Wildcat superstar led his team in scoring on Monday night as he finished with 32 points in the Thunder’s 136-128 victory over Washington. SGA came out of the gate strong and got 14 of those 32 total points in the first quarter alone, including two made three-pointers.

The second quarter was much quieter for Gilgeous-Alexander as he was subbed out within the first minute and did not return to the floor until there were five minutes remaining until half. Before heading to the halftime locker room SGA found an easy one-foot layup to score two more and maintain the 67-61 lead.

SGA starts second half strong

Coming out of the half it did not take long for the MVP candidate to find his groove again as he was able to take the ball into the paint and get a quick two-pointer within the first minute of the second half. The rest of the third remained successful and going into the fourth, his point total was up to 25.

By the start of the fourth, it was a five-point game with Oklahoma City in the lead 102-97. Every time the Thunder would have a solid possession and try to gain a larger lead, the Wizards would get another bucket. Fellow former Wildcat and now-Thunder player Cason Wallace hit a huge three-pointer with a little over 10 minutes left to make it a 107-97 game. SGA continued to stay strong throughout the rest of the game and made two clutch free throws with 18 seconds remaining to secure the 136-128 win.

Miami remains hot

Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro led the charge for the Heat on Monday night in their 120-113 victory over the Rockets. Adebayo finished with a 22-point, 12-rebound double-double (his 17th of the season) while Herro led the team with 28 points. Adebayo dropped in 18 points and 10 rebounds in just the second half.

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15 of Herro’s 28 points were found behind the three-point line. He went 10-20 from the field and also 5-10 from behind the arc. Adebayo pulled down 11 of the 12 of his rebounds on the defensive end of the court and went 9-12 from the field.

Even with All-Star Jimmy Butler watching from the sidelines for the eighth time in the last nine games, Miami improved to a 6-2 mark in his absence.

Miami as a whole went an even 50% from the field and 41.7% from behind the three-point line. The first quarter was a good start for the Heat as they led 34-27 heading into the second quarter, but the second quarter was less successful with the score being tied at half 59-59.

The Heat came out stronger in the second half and outscored the Rockets by nine in the third. Although the fourth quarter was once again not a huge success for Miami, they remained strong enough to squeak by with the 120-113 dub.

Other BBNBA notable mentions

A PJ Washington-less Hornets team fell to the Bulls after a tough overtime run. Washington has been out with a foot injury for a few games, and he remained out on Monday night with a foot sprain. Meanwhile, former Wildcat Nick Richards started for Charlotte and came away with 10 points and eight rebounds in the 119-112 loss.
Devin Booker and the Suns had a difficult 138-111 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night in LA. Booker did finish the night with 20 points but had a -31 performance with him on the floor as he also finished with six turnovers in the game.

Monday 1/8 BBNBA stats

Player	Score	PTS	FG (3PT)	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	+/-	MIN
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC)	136-128 W @ WSH	32	11-17 (2-3)	6	5	3	1	3	3	36
Tyler Herro (MIA)	120-113 W vs HOU	28	10-20 (5-10)	3	3	0	0	1	1	34
Bam Adebayo (MIA)	120-113 W vs HOU	22	9-12 (0-0)	12	3	1	0	3	12	32
Devin Booker (PHX)	138-111 L @ LAC	20	8-14 (2-6)	0	5	0	0	6	-31	34
Nick Richards (CHA)	119-112 L vs CHI	10	5-6 (0-0)	8	1	0	3	0	-8	39
Chris Livingston (MIL)	132-116 L vs UTAH	6	2-5 (0-0)	2	0	1	0	1	0	15
Cason Wallace (OKC)	136-128 W @ WSH	5	2-7 (1-4)	2	2	2	3	1	-4	24
BJ Boston Jr. (LAC)	138-111 W vs PHX	5	2-2 (1-1)	0	0	0	0	1	2	5
Isaiah Jackson (IND)	133-131 W vs BOS	0	0-0 (0-0)	2	0	0	2	0	-2	7
PJ Washington (CHA)	119-112 L vs CHI	DNP-foot sprain	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Oscar Tshiebwe (IND)	133-131 W vs BOS	DNP-CD	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—