The Cleveland Cavaliers began the season with a 15-game win streak. They weren’t going to let the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder beat their document.
Cleveland stored its 11-game win streak alive with a 129-122 win over the Thunder Wednesday night time. The matchup of two 30-win groups had playoff depth and plenty of scoring, with the groups combining for 84 factors within the third quarter in a battle between the league’s high offense (Cleveland) and its high protection (OKC).
The distinction might have come right down to the closest factor the Thunder should a weak spot this season: Dimension. Jarrett Allen led the Cavs with 25 factors, which he achieved on 9-of-11 taking pictures whereas attending to the road for 10 free throw makes an attempt — and one postgame water bottle bathe. Evan Mobley scored 21 factors because the Cleveland duo mixed for 22 rebounds and a stunning 13 assists.
That frontcourt dominance may change when Chet Holmgren returns from his pelvic damage for the Thunder quickly. Isaiah Hartenstein had 18 factors, 11 rebounds and eight assists, but in addition dedicated 5 fouls. Whereas the Cavaliers shot 15-of-36 from three-point vary, solely one among them got here within the recreation’s closing 10 minutes. They held on by scoring near the ring and attending to the road.
The Cavs managed to keep away from the destiny of the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks, whose outshooting wilted within the face of the Thunder’s smothering protection late in losses previously week. Down the stretch, Cleveland received a key replay problem to get an additional possession. That was adopted by Mobley and guard Darius Garland taking the ball at OKC defenders for game-icing late baskets on drives.
The sport might have been an NBA Finals preview, and the battle lived as much as the hype. There have been 30 lead modifications through the recreation. No staff led by double digits at any level. Seven Cavs scored in double figures, whereas Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 and Jalen Williams made a robust argument for an All-Star berth with 25 factors, 9 assists and three steals.
This was about nearly as good as NBA basketball will get within the second week of January. Whereas the win gave Cleveland bragging rights and the NBA’s longest energetic win streak, the tip of the sport felt much less like a conclusion and extra just like the opening skirmish in a for much longer battle that could be settled in a seven-game sequence in June.
