NBA: Thunder rout Cavaliers in rematch of NBA’s top teams

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 40 points and eight assists in three quarters, and the Oklahoma City Thunder rolled over the Cleveland Cavaliers 134-114 on Thursday night in a matchup of teams with the best records in the NBA.

The Western Conference-leading Thunder and the East-leading Cavaliers now have matching 34-6 records. The Cavaliers won the first meeting 129-122 on January 8. In the rematch, the Thunder handed the Cavs their worst loss of the season.

Lu Dort scored a season-high 22 points and Jalen Williams added 19 for Oklahoma City, which won their fourth straight.

Darius Garland had 20 points and nine assists for Cleveland, and Jarrett Allen added 13 points. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland’s top scorer, was held to eight points on 3-for-15 shooting.

The Cavaliers led 12-10 before Oklahoma City took over. The Thunder closed the first quarter on a 22-2 run to take a 32-14 lead. Gilgeous-Alexander scored 15 points in the opening period.

Gilgeous-Alexander scored 11 points in a three-minute stretch late in the first half to help the Thunder take a 75-49 lead at the break.

Oklahoma City matched a season high for points in a quarter with 44 in the third to take a 119-81 lead.

The Thunder committed just six turnovers to Cleveland's 21.

DeRozan helps Kings cool Rockets

DeMar DeRozan had 31 points, Malik Monk added 28 points and nine assists and the surging Sacramento Kings beat the Houston Rockets 132-127.

Monk made the last four free throws for the Kings, who improved to 21-20 with their eighth victory in nine games.

Domantas Sabonis had 20 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists for Sacramento, and DeAaron Fox added 19 points.

Jalen Green led Houston with 28 points, and Alperen Şengun had 21 points and 10 rebounds. The Rockets had won five in a row overall and seven straight on the road.

Behind by 16 points midway through the third quarter, the Rockets charged back to take a 91-90 lead early in the fourth.

Turner, Siakam power Pacers

Myles Turner scored 28 points, Pascal Siakam added 26 and the Indiana Pacers defeated the Detroit Pistons 111-100 to remain hot.

Turner was 8 of 11 from 3-point range while his teammates went 5 for 19. Tyrese Haliburton had 17 points and eight assists as the Pacers won for the seventh time in eight games.

Tim Hardaway Jr. finished with 25 points while Cade Cunningham had 20 points and nine assists despite shooting 7 for 21 (1 for 7 on 3-pointers). Detroit had won 10 of 12.

The Pacers missed 10 of 12 shots to start the fourth quarter, allowing the Pistons to get within 96-90 with 5:38 to play despite committing 19 turnovers.

Detroit, though, came up empty on its next six possessions as Indiana moved the lead back to 12 points.

The Pistons shot 2 for 17 from long range in the second half.

Thursday's scores
Detroit Piston 100, Indiana Pacers 111
Washington Wizards 123, Phoenix Suns 130
Oklahoma City Thunder 134, Cleveland Cavaliers 114
Portland Trail Blazers 89, Los Angeles Clippers 118
Sacramento Kings 132, Houston Rockets 127