The Cleveland Cavaliers game against the Oklahoma City Thunder tonight was highly anticipated as the first time in NBA history a team on a 15-game win streak (OKC) was facing a team on a 10-game win streak (Cavs). OKC’s streak ended tonight with a 122-129 loss in Cleveland’s Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in an instant classic
The Cavaliers were led by Jarrett Allen’s 25 points (9-11 FG), 12 rebounds, six assists, and three steals. Evan Mobley had a near-triple-double with 21 points (8-13 FG), 10 rebounds, and seven assists, while Darius Garland was the leading guard with 18 points (7-15 FG) and seven assists. Max Strus (17 PTS, 6-7 FG), Ty Jerome (15 PTS, 6-7 FG), and Dean Wade (11 PTS, 4-5 FG) had great nights themselves.
The OKC Thunder struggled to overcome the Cavs despite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander‘s 31 points (13-27 FG), five rebounds, four assists, three steals, and two blocks. Jalen Williams contributed 25 points (9-17 FG), five rebounds, nine assists, and three steals. Isaiah Hartenstein had a dominant 18 points (8-14 FG), 11 rebounds, and eight assists, but it wasn’t enough in the face of the Cavaliers.
We might have just seen a preview of the NBA Finals with the two best teams in the NBA this season putting on an electric show. Let’s take a look at the major takeaways from this clash.
Best Teams In The NBA Playing Like They’re The Best
If you’re a casual fan who tuned into this game, it’s hard to imagine you wouldn’t be entertained. These were the two best teams in the NBA this season, and they played a phenomenal Playoff-caliber game, where it was clear that both sides did everything to try and secure the win. This is the kind of advertisement the NBA needs to showcase the strength of its product, as OKC and Cleveland battled for 48 straight minutes tonight.
Both teams were closely matched all night. The Cavs used their size to be slightly better rebounders on the night (41-38) while OKC used their stifling perimeter defenders to generate more steals (9-7) and turnovers (13-15). Given how close the game was, the Cavs essentially won by slightly overperforming in the margins, such as scoring four extra second-chance points (24-20), six extra points in the paint (60-54), and four extra offensive rebounds (13-9).
Cleveland also shot the ball better on the night, going 47-90 (52.2 FG%) from the field and 15-36 from three (41.7 3P%), enjoying a hot shooting night. OKC tried their best and outshot the Cavs from the field by going 48-90 (53.3 FG%). The three-ball didn’t fall their way, going 11-31 (35.3 3P%) from beyond the arc.
34 Lead Changes In Back-And-Forth Masterclass
This game was breathtaking, as both teams repeatedly attacked each other to try and seal the win in this high-stakes clash. The game’s momentum was almost cyclical, as the Cavs controlled the game early before OKC made a huge run at the end of the first quarter to take control heading into the second quarter. The Cavaliers responded midway through the second and went into halftime with a lead.
This same script would continue in the game with both teams wrestling for control until the Cavaliers finally slipped out to a lead at the end of the final quarter, something they ensured they held onto to seal this high-stakes win.
There were 34 lead changes in this clash despite the struggles from players like Donovan Mitchell (11 PTS. 3-16 FG). This game led to the most lead changes out of any game this season, showing how elite both teams are and how neither wanted to give this one up.
OKC Rotation Let Them Down
One of the biggest credits to the OKC Thunder this season has been the almost metronomic consistency from the team’s role-players behind Shai and Jalen Williams. They don’t have many big names on the roster. Still, guys like Kenrich Williams, Aaron Wiggins, and Isaiah Joe retain their spots on the team due to being high-intensity role-players who are happy with their positions.
Tonight, their role-players couldn’t adequately support Shai, Williams, and even Hartenstein, as all three had great performances. It goes to show an overall concern about the Thunder as a Playoff roster, something the Dallas Mavericks exploited last summer to beat them in the second round as a lower seed.
OKC is one of the most asset-rich teams in the NBA and needs to start cashing in some of their chips to add quality rotational players to their roster in anticipation of a potential championship run this year. Targets like Cam Johnson should be high on OKC’s radar, as another wing scorer to split minutes with the likes of Lu Dort or Wiggins is crucial for them, with tonight’s game being evidence of the same.
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