Naz Reid's Clutch Free Throws Seal Minnesota Timberwolves' Thrilling OT Upset Over Oklahoma City Thunder

Naz Reid made two go-ahead free throws with 22.8 seconds left in overtime to highlight a furious late rally for the Minnesota Timberwolves, who stunned the Oklahoma City Thunder on their home floor with Monday's 131-128 victory over the Western Conference leaders. (More Sports News)

The Timberwolves overcame a 24-point fourth-quarter deficit to avenge Sunday's 130-123 defeat to the Thunder in Minnesota and hand Oklahoma City just its fourth loss in 30 home games this season.

Reid scored 20 of his 22 points in the second half and overtime to help lead the improbable comeback while adding 11 rebounds. Jaden McDaniels chipped in 27 points and 10 rebounds and the Timberwolves also received big performances off the bench from Nickeil Alexander-Walker and rookie Terrance Shannon Jr.

Alexander-Walker had 16 of his 21 points after half-time, while Shannon recorded 11 of his career-high 17 points during Minnesota's fourth-quarter surge.

Shai GIlgeous-Alexander amassed 39 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists for Oklahoma City, but the MVP candidate was rejected by fellow All-Star Anthony Edwards on a layup attempt that would have given the Thunder the lead in the closing stages of overtime.

Oklahoma City appeared to have the game in hand after opening up a 106-82 lead with under 11 minutes left in regulation, and its advantage was still a seemingly comfortable 16 points with less than four minutes to go before the Timberwolves reversed momentum in a hurry.

Minnesota scored the final 16 points of regulation, a run McDaniels capped by being fouled after converting a layup with 11.9 seconds remaining. He made the ensuing free throw before both teams missed chances in the final seconds to send the game to overtime tied at 121-121.

The contest remained tight during the extra period. After Reid's two successful free throws put Minnesota ahead at 129-128 inside the final minute, Edwards denied Gilgeous-Alexander at the rim with Shannon recovering the loose ball to give the Timberwolves possession with 10.4 seconds remaining.

Alexander-Walker was then fouled and made both attempts for a three-point edge before Gilgeous-Alexander's 3-point attempt just before the buzzer missed the mark.

Pistons handle Clippers to earn first seven-game winning streak in 10 years

Cade Cunningham's 32 points, nine rebounds and seven assists sent the on-fire Detroit Pistons to their longest winning streak in a decade following Monday's 106-97 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Pistons, who have finished at .500 or below in each of the previous eight seasons, have now won seven consecutive games for the first time since Dec. 26, 2014-Jan. 7, 2015.

Tobias Harris aided Detroit's latest win as well by posting 20 points on 9-of-13 shooting, while Jalen Duren pulled down 19 rebounds to go along with 12 points to help the Pistons also end a 10-game losing streak to the Clippers. The victory was Detroit's first over Los Angeles since Jan. 12, 2019.

James Harden had 18 points and 12 assists for the Clippers, who also received 13 points and 15 rebounds from Ivica Zubac. Los Angeles has now lost three straight on its current road trip, with all three defeats coming with leading scorer Norman Powell out with a sore knee.

The Pistons held a slim 51-49 lead at the end of a tightly played first half and maintained a narrow advantage until finally creating some separation late in the third quarter.

Detroit closed out the period on an 8-0 run, during which Harris scored five points, to enter the fourth up 85-75 following Dennis Schröder's layup shortly before the buzzer. 

The Clippers got to within four points with under eight minutes left, but Cunningham helped put the game away by hitting two free throws and following up with a 3-pointer that staked the Pistons to a 103-93 lead entering the final minute.

Jokic sets new assist high in Nuggets' win over Pacers

Nikola Jokić established a new career high with 19 assists in another terrific performance that led the Denver Nuggets to a 125-116 win over the Indiana Pacers. 

Jokic added 18 points and nine rebounds to spark the surging Nuggets to their 10th victory in 11 games. The three-time NBA MVP eclipsed his prior personal-best of 18 assists set twice previously.

All five Denver starters scored in double figures, with Aaron Gordon recording a team-high 25 points and Michael Porter Jr. finishing with 19 along with 11 rebounds.

The Pacers had a three-game winning streak snapped despite Myles Turner's 23 points and Tyrese Haliburton's 19 points and 15 assists.

Denver controlled the contest throughout, as it built a 36-28 lead after one quarter behind 12 points from Gordon and extended the margin to as much as 13 points in the second quarter. 

The Pacers did close the gap later in the period by putting together an 8-0 run to get within 56-55, but the Nuggets responded with six straight points and eventually went into the break owning a 64-58 edge.

Denver then dominated the third quarter, shooting 64 per cent while outscoring Indiana by a 36-25 margin to begin pulling away. The Nuggets finished out the period on an 8-0 spurt to take a 100-83 lead into the fourth.

Christian Braun helped keep the Pacers at bay in the final period, scoring 10 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter while going 7 of 11 from the field for the game.