CLEVELAND, Ohio — It was billed as one of the most anticipated regular-season matchups in years. A historic one.
It lived up to that.
In what could be an NBA Finals preview, the Cavs topped Oklahoma City on Wednesday, 129-122, handing the 30-win Thunder their first loss since Dec. 1. Cleveland improves its record to a league-best 32-4.
- No. 1 in the East vs. No. 1 in the West.
- The top offense (Cleveland) vs. the top defense (Oklahoma City).
- Nos. 1 and 2 in point differential and net rating.
- The Thunder entered the night on a 15-game winning streak. The Cavs were riding a 10-game winning streak.
- The first time ever a team on a 15-game winning streak played an opponent on a 10-game winning streak.
- It was also the first interconference game in NBA history between teams with a winning percentage of .850 or higher this late into the season.
It was a playoff-level 48-minute battle that featured 30 lead changes and eight ties inside a raucous building with every possession becoming precious — the exact test the Cavs have been wanting.
They passed.
Again.
Even though the Cavs trailed after one quarter for just the second time all season, this resilient bunch never wavered in its belief. They quickly regained control in the second quarter, outscoring OKC 37-27 over the next 12 minutes despite little help from likely All-Star Donovan Mitchell.
Hounded by dogged defender Lu Dort all night, it took until the 1:53 mark of the second quarter for Mitchell to score his first points — a pair of free throws.
Mitchell’s first made basket came a little later.
With the crowd on its feet, in the closing seconds of the first half, and the shot clock ticking down, Mitchell drove past burly Dort for a hanging two-handed dunk that put an exclamation point on a thrilling half — and gave Cleveland a three-point lead going into the halftime locker room.
Then came third-quarter fireworks.
Oklahoma City erupted for 43 points, just the third time all year any opponent has reached the 40-point mark against Cleveland’s stingy defense. But the Cavs nearly matched that output with 41 of their own, just the fifth time the grimy Thunder allowed any opponent to cross the 40-point threshold.
At the end of the first 36 minutes, the two teams were separated by just one point, exactly what so many anticipated going into the night. The Cavs built the lead to a game-high seven points for the first time at the 7:14 mark of the fourth quarter. Even though the prideful Thunder got within two points a few times, including the two-minute mark, Cleveland made clutch plays down the stretch.
In a one-possession game with everything heightened, the bigger Cavs corralled four straight offensive rebounds, scoring three points on one trip. Then came a Darius Garland runner that extended the lead back to seven and solidified the victory.
Cleveland was led by Jarrett Allen, who finished with 25 points, 12 rebounds and six assists. Evan Mobley chipped in with 21 points and 10 boards. Garland added 18 points and seven assists. Mitchell struggled throughout, mustering just 11 points on 3 of 16 from the field. Jerome added 15 off the bench.
The Thunder got 31 from MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander despite being in foul trouble throughout. Jalen Williams tallied 25 points, nine assists and five boards.
Prior to the game, Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson compared the matchup to being in the NCAA Tournament. The buzz. The hype. The excitement. The tension.
Wednesday night had it all. The hoopla was warranted. Forget market size. Forget ratings. Forget all those ancillary factors.
Who wouldn’t sign up for that in June?
Up next
The Cavs will host the Toronto Raptors Thursday night on the second night of a back-to-back. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
