Depleted Detroit Pistons drag West-best Thunder into OT before falling
Detroit Pistons score: Missing nearly all their starters, the Pistons rallied in the second half to force OT before Shai Gilgeous-Alexander took over.
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Detroit Pistons nearly took down the defending champs in their own arena without four starters. An MVP-caliber performance by reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander allowed the Oklahoma City Thunder to escape. Gilgeous-Alexander scored 47 points, and knocked down 21 of his 25 free throws, to put away the Pistons in overtime, 114-110, on Monday, March 30.
Three free throws from Gilgeous-Alexander with 48. 3 seconds left in overtime extended the Thunder's lead to five, 111-106. He then split a trip with 13.
3 seconds left, with Ron Holland fouling out, to extend the lead back to four to secure the win for Oklahoma City (after Paul Reed cut it to two with a pair of free throws). After a hot second half, the Pistons went cold in OT, shooting 3-for-11 in the final five minutes. They were without Ausar Thompson (eight points, seven rebounds and five assists) in the extra period, after he fouled out late in the fourth quarter.
LOOKING AHEAD: Ranking the Detroit Pistons' potential first round playoff matchups With less than 24 seconds left and a chance to win the game in the fourth quarter, Daniss Jenkins turned the ball over with a bad pass. Gilgeous-Alexander nearly made the Pistons pay, sinking a 3-pointer with four seconds left and the game tied at 101. However, the bucket didn't count because he pushed off.
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