The Thunder look like the title favorite. If they don’t lift the Larry O’Brien, it’ll be because of these reasons.

This season, Shai Gilegous-Alexander is the front-runner to win the NBA MVP award, narrowly beating out Nikola Jokic. One could argue that voters are simply sick of Jokic, giving SGA an advantage, but Gilgeous-Alexander is leading the NBA with 33 points per game and is the best player on the best team in the best conference.

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Pre All-Star break, SGA averaged 32.5 points, but he’s turned it up to another level post break, dropping 35.4 per tilt. SGA hit the Over on this line in just 33.3 percent of his 54 games played before the break. He’s reached that mark in 54.5% of games played since.

NBA referee explains why Cade Cunningham was ejected in Oklahoma City Thunder's 113-107 win over Detroit Pistons.

Detroit Pistons star Cade Cunningham was ejected early in the fourth quarter of Saturday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at LCA.

Star Cade Cunningham was T'd up twice in a bizarre 3Q sequence, and the Pistons rallied in the fourth of a loss to the Thunder.