Thunder, Nuggets pull through

MANILA, Philippines — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 26 points to power NBA Western Conference leaders Oklahoma City to a tense 103-101 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday as Denver ended Houston’s nine-game winning streak.

Gilgeous-Alexander endured a tough shooting night but connected on all 11 of his free throws, including two in the final second that sealed the victory.

In other Western Conference action, the Nuggets moved within one game of the Rockets for third place with a 116-111 victory in Houston.

The Nuggets, with NBA Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic sidelined for a fourth straight game with an ankle injury, outscored the Rockets 39-22 in the third quarter and led by 19 with eight seconds left in the period.

After letting an early 12-point lead get away, the Clippers rallied from a nine-point third-quarter deficit, taking a three-point lead on back-to-back baskets by Kawhi Leonard.