The Oklahoma City Thunder aim to extend their winning streak to four games Friday against the undermanned Toronto Raptors.
Chet Holmgren had 35 points and 14 rebounds Wednesday night as the Western Conference-leading Thunder (48-20) defeated the visiting Utah Jazz 119-107.
The Raptors (23-46), meanwhile, lost their eighth in a row on Wednesday, 123-89 to the visiting Sacramento Kings. Immanuel Quickley (personal) was added Wednesday to the long list of Raptors on the sidelines.
The Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who was born in Toronto and is from nearby Hamilton, Ont., will enter Friday’s game in Canada after scoring 31 points with seven assists against the Jazz.
Gilgeous-Alexander became the 13th player in NBA history to score 30 points or more 50 times in a single season. He is the fifth to do it in the last 35 seasons, joining Michael Jordan (twice), James Harden, Kobe Bryant and Tracy McGrady.
Holmgren scored 18 of his 35 points in the fourth quarter, as the Thunder led by four points early in the final period before they started to pull away.
Said Thunder coach Mark Daigneault: “Credit Utah, they really competed tonight. I thought they were the more physical team after the first six minutes of the game, and that really tested us.”
Oklahoma City trailed 61-57 early in the third but used an 11-0 run to pull ahead 68-61. Gilgeous-Alexander scored 15 points in the third quarter.
Holmgren was a presence inside with three blocked shots to go along with his 14 rebounds.
Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic feels that his team still has a good attitude despite the struggles.
Gary Trent Jr. scored 18 points on Wednesday for the Raptors, who have dropped 10 of their last 11 games.
Quickley was added to the list of missing players that includes Scottie Barnes (hand), Jakob Poeltl (finger), RJ Barrett (personal), Chris Boucher (knee), and D.J. Carton (ankle).
