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.
“It was a beautiful game,” Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson said after the latest triumph. “I think it had a playoff atmosphere, playoff competition, guys were competing. I felt like there was no extracurricular stuff. It was just pure basketball, pure competition. I mean, obviously, whoever won, lost, it was just a good game for the league and for the fans. We all enjoy competition, but to see all that talent out there tonight, these were the heavy hitters of the league, and the quality of the basketball was super high.”
- 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, the entire game played within single digits, inside a raucous building with every possession becoming precious — the exact test the Cavs have been wanting.
They passed.
Again.
“It just speaks to our growth,” Donovan Mitchell said. “I told everybody after the game, ‘We don’t win this game last year.’ Everybody that came in and did something positive to affect the game. That’s a team win. That’s what it’s going to take for us to be the team we want to be. Honestly, that’s a big win. I think we’re all excited about it. This is one game and no championships are won tonight, but this is something to be proud of.
“We got hit. Fought back. Hit again. Kept going back. Got the lead. Kept the lead. That’s the sign of a championship team. How do we find ways to respond in adversity? How do we find ways to continue to be who we are through success?”
Even though the Cavs trailed after the first quarter for just the second time all season, this resilient bunch never wavered in its belief. They increased their force and quickly regained control in the second quarter, outscoring OKC 37-27 over the next 12 minutes despite little help from likely All-Star and team leader 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 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. 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 tested Thunder got within two points a few times, including the two-minute mark, Cleveland repeatedly made clutch plays down the stretch.
In a one-possession game with everything heightened, the Cavs, leaning on their two-big frontcourt, corralled four straight offensive rebounds, scoring three points on one trip. Then came a Darius Garland runner that extended the lead back to seven.
That was the dagger. And Garland knew it. He roared as Oklahoma City called timeout and then chest-bumped teammates as he confidently strolled toward the bench.
“This is who he’s been,” Mitchell said of Garland. “He had one rough year and I think we all, not us, but no disrespect, but y’all put that on him like that’s who he was. This is who he’s been his whole career. A closer. Clutch player. That’s what you’re seeing — the growth from all of us.”
Cleveland was led by center 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, stating his case to join Mitchell in San Francisco for the All-Star Game. Mitchell struggled throughout, mustering just 11 points on 3 of 16 from the field. Ty Jerome added 15 off the bench.
“We’re relentless. Best team in the league,” Garland boasted. “I don’t know, man, this team is great. This was a big win.”
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, Atkinson compared the matchup to being in the NCAA Tournament. The buzz. The hype. The excitement. The tension.
Wednesday night had it all. The buildup was warranted. Forget market size. Forget ratings. Forget all those ancillary factors. Cavs-Thunder delivered.
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.
