The Cleveland Cavaliers emerged from a high level clash on Wednesday between two of the NBA’s top teams in a 129-122 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Cavaliers, playing in front of a raucous home crowd, improved to a league-best 32-4 while the Thunder are now 30-6 after the loss. The Cavaliers’ win streak stands at 11 games. The Thunder’s win streak was snapped at 15 games.
The Thunder quickly trailed 6-0, but collected themselves and took a 32-25 lead into the second quarter. The Cavaliers outscored the Thunder 37-27 in the second before a high scoring third (43-41 in favor of the Thunder). 26-20 was the Cavalier advantage in the fourth.
Both teams shot nearly identical, the Thunder 53 percent to the Cavaliers’ 52 percent. The Cavaliers made 15 of 36 triples in contrast to the Thunder making 11 of 31. The Cavaliers turned the ball over 15 times, the Thunder 13. The Cavaliers’ 40 rebounds were just two more than the Thunder’s 38.
In a game that was as close and as evenly matched as one could get, the Cavaliers’ interior play made the difference, with big-time double-doubles from Jarrett Allen (25 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists, 9-for-11) and Evan Mobley (21 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, 8-for-13) leading the way for the home team. Darius Garland’s 18 points and 7 assists on 7-for-15 shooting was also needed in a game where Donovan Mitchell shot just 3-of-16. Max Strus (17 points) and Ty Jerome (15 points) were big off the bench.
MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shot 13-of-27 but was just 1-for-6 from downtown, still scoring a game-high 31 points to go along with 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks. Jalen Williams (9-for-17) pitched in 25 points, 9 assists, and 5 rebounds, while Isaiah Hartenstein put up an impressive double-double of 18 points, 11 rebounds, and 8 assists. Cason Wallace put up 15 points on 6-for-8 (3-for-3 from downtown), while Aaron Wiggins added 11 off the bench on 5-for-7.
Alex Caruso missed the game with a strained left hip (he last played on December 23) and his presence defensively was and is missed against top wing players across the league. Wallace’s performance was a welcomed one.
Of course, the Thunder still miss Chet Holmgren, who had an 8-10 week timeline when he fractured his hip on November 10. His presence would have helped against the agile Mobley and Allen.
Wednesday’s game had a number of firsts, among them:
The first match-up between teams on a 15-game winning streak and 10-game winning streak.
The first inter-conference game at this point in the season between teams with an .850 win percentage or better.
The first time since 1970-71 that both teams had a 10-0 or better record against the opposing conference.
The second time in league history that multiple teams have won at least 30 of their first 35 games (1971-72: Lakers (32-3) and Bucks (30-5).
Both teams had franchise-record winning streaks (the Cavaliers began the season 15-0).
The Cavaliers and Thunder will meet for the final time in the regular season next Thursday on TNT at 7:30 p.m. from Paycom Center.
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