A evaluation from begin to end. That was the spectacular efficiency by the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, who steamrolled the Cleveland Cavaliers 134-114, main by greater than 40 factors and greater than avenging their loss to Cleveland final week.
The leaders of the West and the East met once more after final Wednesday the Cavaliers took the victory by 129-122 in an exciting, intense recreation and definitely one of the vital thrilling video games of the NBA season up to now.
That is how Noah Scurry, who was killed on the age of 17, used to play
Followers have been trying ahead to a different high-voltage duel, however the rematch had nothing to do with that encounter as a result of the Thunder (34-6), imperious and ruthless, set about tearing the Cavaliers (34-6) other than the opening bounce with a majestic Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who already has the MVP inside his grasp.
All of the statistical sections mirrored the colossal thrashing of the Thunder, however as a abstract it is sufficient to notice that Oklahoma was already successful 32-14 within the first quarter, that within the second interval it got here to have a +26 and that its most distinction tonight was +42 within the third episode.
Extra arguments to worry the Thunder? Mark Daigneault’s aspect sealed this memorable victory with their two beginning facilities injured: Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein.
Removed from a fiery face-off between two ring-savvy contenders, Oklahoma dealt with the sport at will and humiliated the Cavaliers as in the event that they have been simply one other staff.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: “I do not want free throws. Once they come, it is a bonus, however I do not want them”
Shai signed his umpteenth exhibition with 40 factors (17 of 26 taking pictures) and eight assists in simply 29 minutes, as, like the remainder of the figures of each groups, he didn’t play the final quarter as a result of by then every part was already resolved.
“I do not want free throws. Once they come, it is a bonus, however I do not want them,” Shai Gilgeous-Alexander mentioned after the sport, by which he made all 5 free throws he tried and made 17 of 26 subject targets.
Luguentz Dort (22 factors with an enormous 6 of 9 on three-pointers) and Jalen Williams (19 factors, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and three steals) additionally stood out for the Thunder who, within the first three intervals, shone with 60.3% taking pictures from the sphere and 45.7% on three-pointers (16 of 35).
As well as, Oklahoma’s fascinating protection disarmed the perfect offense within the league, a lot in order that the Cavaliers dedicated 21 turnovers that led to 30 factors for the Thunder.
With all that, the Cavaliers endured a nightmare on the Paycom Middle. Solely Darius Garland (20 factors and 9 assists) and Jarrett Allen (13 factors and seven rebounds) raised their voices whereas Donovan Mitchell (8 factors and a ruinous 3 of 15 taking pictures) and Evan Mobley (5 factors on 2 of seven) have been horrible.
The 15-33 scoreline within the ultimate quarter, when there was nothing at stake and all of the substitutes have been on the courtroom, allowed Cleveland to place some gloss on a disastrous night.
Solely within the opening minutes did the Cavaliers present something resembling a plan. Within the absence of Hartenstein and with Holmgren nonetheless recovering, Kenny Atkinson’s aspect hit the paint with Allen because the battering ram and crashed the offensive boards.
However they quickly ran headlong into Oklahoma’s gigantic defensive wall and suffered at least seven turnovers within the first quarter.
Rising from their protection and completely controlling the tempo, the Thunder have been led by Shai, who was unbelievable with 15 factors within the first interval. As well as, Isaiah Joe and Branden Carlson added two triples apiece off the bench and Oklahoma closed the primary quarter with a monumental 22-2 run for 32-14.
Shai alone was sufficient with 15 factors to surpass the 14 in whole of all of the Cavaliers.
The guests’ assault was a drama, completely caught, with errors in each possession and with unmistakable indicators of impotence and frustration.
The Cavaliers have been a very overwhelmed and blurred staff, nothing just like the deadly staff that’s wonderful this season within the NBA. Solely Garland provided minimal resistance with 15 sterile factors within the second quarter.
The Thunder, alternatively, continued with the equipment in full swing. Shai was nonetheless on a heavenly stage (11 factors within the second quarter) and at his aspect everybody did their bit: 10 factors from Dort, eight from Williams, one other eight from Alex Caruso…
The 75-49 half-time rating left the sport all however determined. By then, Oklahoma had made 60.9% of its photographs and 57.9% of its three-pointers (a wonderful 11 of 19) and had pressured 13 turnovers from the Cavaliers.
The distinction solely grew and grew after the restart, so Cleveland waved the white flag and withdrew its stars in the midst of the third quarter whereas the Thunder continued to savor an exquisite victory for a season that goals excessive in Oklahoma
