NBA Cup: Rockets-Thunder a clash of defense, and it was predictable

LAS VEGAS — It was midway through the third quarter of the Oklahoma City-Houston NBA Cup semifinal matchup on Saturday night. Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had just made a short jumper in the lane and, to his delight, a time-out was immediately called. He needed it. He retreated to midcourt, crouched down, propped himself up