Thunder and Raptors Battle North of the Border
The Oklahoma City Thunder takes on the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on Thursday night.

The Thunder (34-35) are making an impressive late-season push for the playoffs, and they'll enter Thursday's contest with a chance to get to .500 if they can extend their winning streak to four games. OKC's most recent success came Tuesday night, when they toppled the Brooklyn Nets by a 121-107 score. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 35 points, adding seven rebounds, four assists and one steal. Luguentz Dort supplied 24 points, nine rebounds, one assist and one steal. Jalen Williams generated a 23-point, 10-rebound double-double that included three assists and two steals. Josh Giddey posted a 15-point, 13-rebound, 10-assist triple-double that included two steals.

The Thunder will continue without Aleksej Pokusevski (lower leg) for Thursday's contest.

The Raptors ( ) are fighting for an Eastern Conference postseason spot in their own right, and they head into Thursday's game having just snapped a three-game losing streak with an impressive 125-110 win over the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night. Fred VanVleet paced the Raptors with 36 points, supplementing them with seven assists, three rebounds and three steals. O.G. Anunoby totaled 24 points, three rebounds, three assists and one steal. Scottie Barnes delivered 18 points, seven boards, five assists and one steal. Jakob Poeltl generated a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double that included five assists, two blocks and one steal. Pascal Siakam finished with 12 points as well while adding eight rebounds, four assists and one steal. Gary Trent Jr. netted 11 points.

The Raptors will remain without Dalano Blanton (thumb) for Thursday's game.

Thursday's game marks the second and final meeting between the teams this season. The Thunder holds a 1-0 series lead.
Posted on: 3/15/2023 10:35 PM