Thunder blow out Nuggets to even second-round series

Oklahoma City scored 45 points in the first quarter and 42 points in the second, setting an NBA playoff record for first-half points on their way to a 149-106 Game 2 victory. In Game 1, Nikola Jokic tormented the Thunder with 42 points and 22 rebounds. On Wednesday, he fouled out in the third quarter with his team trailing by 41 points.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way with a highly efficient 34 points and eight assists. He shot 11-of-13 from the field, 11-of-11 from the foul line and registered an unbelievable +51 in his 30 minutes.

The Thunder shot 56.2 percent from the field and 44.4 percent from three-point range, notching 12 steals and eight blocks. Their offensive dominance was even more extreme in the opening quarter, when they shot 15-for-21 with five three-pointers. They even rebounded one of their six misses, which Gilgeous-Alexander turned into a dunk.

Chet Holmgren proved he wasn't haunted by two missed free throws in Monday's Game 1 loss, bouncing back with 15 points and 11 rebounds in 26 minutes. He also registered two blocks — both on Game 1 hero Aaron Gordon, on the same play.

Maybe the Thunder simply wanted the game more after the Nuggets had already forced a split on the road. But in winning a second playoff game by 40+ points, the Thunder showed resilience, dominance and a killer instinct that could take them to a title.