(Cleveland) Montrealer Luguentz Dort set a personal high for the current season with 18 points on Monday, helping the Oklahoma City Thunder crush the Cleveland Cavaliers 136-104.
Published yesterday at
Dort was dazzling from beyond the perimeter, hitting the mark five of six times.
For three games, he has a success rate of seven for 13 in this aspect of the game.
Recognized as a defensive ace, the Quebecer also brings attack with nine games of 13 points or more this season, including four this month.
The Montreal-North athlete added five rebounds, three assists and a steal.
He and Chet Holmgren posted the Thunder’s best plus-34 rating.
PHOTO DAVID DERMER, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Chet Holmgren (7)
Late in the third quarter, Dort cut to the basket while dribbling, then chose to pass to Aaron Wiggins. The latter hit the target for three points from the corner of the field, giving the Thunder a 91-79 lead.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 30 points, two more than Holmgren.
The Ontario SGA reached the milestone of 30 points for the 30e times in 42 matches.
The league’s Most Valuable Player last season, he is second in the NBA with 31.8 points per game this season, on average.
The Thunder lead the league with a 36-8 record, including a 6-1 record since January 7.
OKC made 23 three-pointers, tying a team high this season.
Holmgren was four for five and Isaiah Joe four for seven, en route to a 16-point haul.
Wiggins finished the game with 12 points.
PHOTO KEN BLAZE, IMAGN IMAGES, PROVIDED BY REUTERS CONNECT
Aaron Wiggins (21)
Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 19 points and Jarrett Allen provided 16, playing in a 600e game in the NBA.
We also learned that star player Jalen Williams will miss two weeks due to a strain in the back of his right thigh.
Williams missed the Thunder’s first 19 games this season (right wrist surgery).
OKC went 18-1 in his absence.
The Thunder will play again Wednesday in Milwaukee (9:30 p.m., Sportsnet 360).
