Player grades: Thunder snap three-game losing streak in 123-119 OT win over Bulls

The Oklahoma City Thunder were finally able to overcome their fourth quarter and overtime woes in a 123-119 win over the Chicago Bulls.

The Thunder were up by 10 points with eight minutes remaining in the game. Then, just like a lot of Thunder games this season, the Bulls made their run to close the deficit.

Zach LaVine scored 12 points in the final 12 minutes of the game and was able to force overtime.

It felt deja vu for Thunder fans this season: the young squad was able to surprisingly catch a team off guard and grow a lead before eventually squandering it late in the game.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander wouldn’t let that happen though as he scored 11 of his 30 points in the final 17 minutes of the game.

After Gilgeous-Alexander was able to bait veteran DeMar DeRozan into fouling him from beyond the perimeter, he was able to hit all three free throws for the go-ahead points.

Let’s take a look at Thunder player grades.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: A

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While it wasn’t his most dominant 30-point performance, it was still a 30-point performance for Gilgeous-Alexander.

The 24-year-old finished with 30 points on 8-of-21 shooting and shot 14-of-15 from the free-throw line. Gilgeous-Alexander also finished with eight rebounds and seven assists.

After scoring just four points in the fourth quarter and overtime in the Thunder’s OT loss to the Denver Nuggets, Gilgeous-Alexander had a much better scoring outing with 11 points this time around in the same time period.

Aleksej Pokusevski: B+

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A third-quarter buzzer-beating three was the highlight of Aleksej Pokusevski’s night as he sent the crowd crazy into the fourth quarter.

Pokusevski finished with 15 points on 6-of-13 shooting, six rebounds and two assists.

While he didn’t exclusively match up against him, Pokusevski helped limit Nikola Vucevic to 13 points on 6-of-14 shooting and 13 rebounds.

Darius Bazley: A-

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Darius Bazley usually brings it on the defensive end, but on Friday his offense showed out as well. In 20 minutes, Bazley finished with 17 points on 7-of-9 shooting and also blocked two shots. When the Thunder needed offense off the bench, Bazley provided it in the win.

Josh Giddey: B+

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While the shot didn’t fall, Josh Giddey was able to help out in other areas with 13 rebounds and nine assists.

On the scoreboard, Giddey finished with 10 points on 5-of-13 shooting.

HIGHLIGHTS

Story originally appeared on Thunder Wire