Thunder hold off Cavaliers

CLEVELAND — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a season-high 43 points and made a go-ahead 3-pointer with 32.6 seconds remaining as the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 117-112 on Monday night in the first of a two-game set. Gilgeous-Alexander attempted 35 shots, the most in the NBA during the first two weeks of the season, and made 14. He was 11 of 12 from the free-throw line in 38 minutes as the injury-depleted Thunder bounced back after two straight road losses by 20-plus points. The fourth quarter saw eight ties and eight lead changes before Gilgeous-Alexander drilled his fourth 3-pointer. Cleveland s Sam Merrill missed a perimeter shot from the corner before Ajay Mitchell made it a two-possession game by sinking two free throws with 15.4 seconds remaining. Oklahoma City has been reeling since the loss of three starters to long-term injuries. Mitchell scored 20 and Isaiah Hartenstein pulled down 14 rebounds. Gilgeous-Alexander matched his highest scoring total in