sports

OKC Thunder Beat Nets 105-86

The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Brooklyn Nets 105-86, securing a badly-needed victory with a dominant second half.

Nikola Topic's fastbreak layup highlighted a second quarter explosion that turned a 23-21 deficit into a halftime lead. Head coach Mark Daigneault received a rare technical foul during the quarter after disputing a non-reviewed push on Cason Wallace, igniting a 17-3 run that buried the Nets.

The short-handed reigning champions pulled away in the third quarter despite a brief Nets run. Late scuffles involving Alex Caruso and Noah Clowney marred the final minutes, but Oklahoma City held on for a 105-86 victory.