NBA Cup: OKC Thunder ride huge second half performance to beat Rockets and make finals

Oklahoma City Thunder coach Mark Daigneault described the first half of Saturday’s NBA Cup semifinal between the league’s two stingiest defensive teams as “muddled.”

That’s about the most pleasant word that can be used to describe the worst shooting half of the season for both the Thunder and the Houston Rockets.

The second half was a different story, as Oklahoma City exploded for 70 points to cruise to a 111-96 victory and earn the right to play the Milwaukee Bucks in Tuesday’s title game.

“The energy was kind of down,” said Dort, who scored 14 of his 19 points in the second half. “I think the crowd was kind of down, the whole arena was kind of down, but that play kind of did something for us, for the team. We got it going.”

After being held to 41 points in the first half and trailing by a point at halftime, Oklahoma City scored 34 in the third quarter to seize control.

The Thunder went 5-of-5 from 3-point range in the quarter — led by Dort’s three 3s — after going 2-of-18 from long range in the first half.

Oklahoma City made 14 of 19 uncontested field goal attempts in the second half after hitting only 7 of 23 such looks in the first half, according to ESPN Research tracking.

Gilgeous-Alexander had 20 points in the second half, getting the best of his individual matchup against Team Canada teammate Dillon Brooks.