SGA leads Thunder past Cavaliers   

LOS ANGELES, California — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander erupted for 43 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder halted their two-game losing streak with a battling 117-112 road victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday (Tuesday in Manila). Oklahoma City had been rocked after suffering a slew of injuries followed by back-to-back 20-point defeats heading into Monday’s showdown with last season’s Eastern Conference finalists. But a sublime performance from two-time reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Gilgeous-Alexander carried the Thunder to a morale-boosting win at Cleveland’s Rocket Arena. Gilgeous-Alexander’s points haul came from 14-of-35 shooting from the field with four three-pointers and eight assists. Oklahoma City, missing three starters in Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace, were also boosted by 20 points from Ajay Mitchell and 12 from Kenrich Williams. Cleveland’s points were spread through the lineup with seven players reaching double figures, including Donovan Mitchell and Meleek Thomas with 17 points apiece. “You never know what the future has in store for you, and all you can do is play the cards you’re dealt, that’s what we try to do,” Gilgeous-Alexander said of the Thunder’s response to their injury crisis. “Whatever the game needs, we try to play to the best of our ability and come out with a...