Round two of the Cleveland Cavaliers against the Oklahoma City Thunder went to the Thunder.
It was an early knockout – the Thunder pummeled the Cavaliers with haymakers and body blows. Dunks and 3-pointers were standard fare for Oklahoma City’s offense in a 134-114 victory against the Cavaliers.
Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 15 of his game-high 40 points in the first quarter as the Thunder constructed a 26-point lead in the first half and cruised to an easy win in a matchup of the two best teams in the NBA.
Had this been a fight, the referee would’ve stopped the contest when the Thunder grabbed a 115-73 lead in the third quarter.
Oklahoma City extended its home winning streak to 10 games and ended Cleveland’s six-game road winning streak. It was also Cleveland’s first loss in 12 games this season against a team from the West.
The OKC victory came eight days after the Cavs beat the Thunder 129-122 in Cleveland. That contest lived up to the hype; the rematch did not.
Cavaliers vs. Thunder highlights
How many points did Shai Gilgeous-Alexander score vs. Cavaliers?
Gilgeous-Alexander put another glowing stamp on his MVP candidacy, scoring a game-high 40 points on 17-for-26 shooting. He also had eight assists and two steals and reached 32 points with 8:09 left in the third quarter.
It was his fifth 40-point performance of the season, and he did not play in the fourth quarter. He had 15 points in the first quarter, 11 in the second and 14 in the third.
The MVP runner-up last season, Gilgeous-Alexander has made a strong push to win the award this season. Entering the game, he was at 31.4 points, 6.0 assists, 5.5 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 1.1 blocks per game while shooting 52.8% from the field, 35.6% on 3-pointers and 89.5% on free throws.
How did the Thunder beat the Cavaliers?
This game was decided by an impressive Thunder first half. They put up 75 points in the opening two quarters, including 43 in the second quarter.
The Thunder shot 60.9% from the field, 57.9% on 3s (11-for-19) and 100% on eight free throw attempts. Besides Gilgeous-Alexander’s 26 points in the first half, Lu Dort scored 13 points and Jalen Williams had 10 points for Oklahoma City, which boasts the No. 1 defense and No. 6 offense. Dort finished with 22 points and Williams 19.
The Thunder are on pace for an NBA single-season record for point differential at plus-12.8 points per game, surpassing the mark of plus-12.28 established by the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers.
Who was the Cavaliers’ leading scorer?
Darius Garland led the Cavs with 20 points on 7-for-10 shooting. He also had nine assists.
How many points did Donovan Mitchell score vs. the Thunder?
Cavs star Donovan Mitchell had just eight points on 3-for-15 shooting – and he had just 11 points on 3-for-16 shooting in the Jan. 8 game. OKC’s defense has been stellar against Mitchell.
Did Isaiah Hartenstein play vs. the Cavaliers?
Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein missed the game with a strained left calf muscle, an injury he sustained Tuesday in Oklahoma City’s victory against Philadelphia. He is expected to miss at least a week. The Thunder signed Hartenstein in free agency in the summer, and he has been productive (11.8 points, 12.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game), especially since they have been without starting center Chet Holmgren (pelvic fracture) for the past two months.
Where are the Cavaliers in the standings?
The Cavs remain in first place in the Eastern Conference at 34-6. They have a six-game lead over second-place Boston and eight-game lead over third-place New York.
According to tankathon.com, the Cavaliers have the 10th-toughest remaining schedule.
Where are the Thunder in the standings?
The Thunder are in first place in the Western Conference at 34-6, and they have a 6½-game lead over second-place Houston and 8½-game lead over third-place Memphis.
According to tankathon.com, the Thunder have the 25th-toughest remaining schedule.
Will Thunder and Cavaliers meet in the NBA Finals?
It’s a strong possibility though take into consideration that neither team has been beyond the second round with this group of players.
The Cavaliers likely will have to beat defending champion Boston in a series, and the West has several teams capable of making a deep run. The Thunder could end up playing Minnesota in the first round, and the Timberwolves were a conference finalist last season.
It won’t be easy, but Cavaliers-Thunder is an enticing Finals matchup.
Will Cavaliers or Thunder be active at the NBA trade deadline?
For the most part, both teams are content with what they have and a blockbuster move isn’t expected for either. Adding around the edges before the Feb. 6 trade deadline is more likely.
With that said, it’s worth monitoring the Thunder’s interest in Brooklyn’s Cam Johnson, who is sought by multiple teams. The Nets are holding out for the best offer, and they are also content to keep Johnson for the remainder of the season.
What major awards will Thunder, Cavaliers win?
In USA TODAY Sports’ NBA midseason awards selections, Oklahoma City guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the MVP, Cavs guard Darius Garland is the Clutch Player of the Year, Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson is the Coach of the Year and Thunder vice president and general manager Sam Presti is the Executive of the Year.