Thunder Cooks the Cavs

Daily Thunder Staff -

OKC 134 CLE 114

After struggling to contain the Cleveland Cavaliers’ interior tandem of Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley, the task of getting a revenge win against the Cavs seemed like a tall (ahem) task with the news that Isaiah Hartenstein would be out for the game (and for at least a week).

Turns out, it wasn’t much a task at all.

The Oklahoma City Thunder absolutely roasted Cleveland, almost from start to finish.  A week ago, it was an offensive shootout.  Tonight, OKC combined stifling defense with one of the best offensive performances of the season.

After three quarters, when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sat for good, the Thunder led 119-81.

  • If Shai Gilgeous-Alexander isn’t the far and away leader for the NBA MVP award, then you might as well just quit giving the award away.  SGA finished with 40 points, on 17-26 shooting, 8 assists, in just 29 minutes.  The Cavs couldn’t stop Shai. Frankly, he could have scored 100 if he wanted.
  • Lu Dort looked like a better version of Steph Curry, going 6-9 from three with 22 points.
  • J-Dub scored efficiently and led the charge defensively with 3 steals.
  • Shout out to Branden Carlson, who logged real first-quarter minutes.  Carlson had a steal and two threes in the first quarter.
  • So that fourth quarter was something.  OKC led by as many as 42 and held a 38-point lead after three.  But Adam Flagler, up from the deepest ends of the bench, decided he was gonna get his.  Unfortunately, after going 0-8 from three, including an 0-3 possession, Flager did not get his.

Oklahoma City moves to 34-6 on the season and now are tied with the Cavs for the best record in the NBA.

Next up: Second night of a home-road back-to-back in Dallas.