Thunder struck by Cavaliers

>> Cleveland ends Oklahoma City’s winning streak in midseason classic

The most anticipated game of the season delivered.

The Cleveland Cavaliers stopped the Oklahoma City Thunder 129-122 on Wednesday night, ending the Thunder’s 15-game winning streak, in a showcase of high-level basketball and a possible NBA Finals preview.¹

The game was a thriller with 30 lead changes and eight ties, full of ball movement, rim-running dunks and 3-pointers. This was no-nonsense basketball. No alternate jerseys. No disorienting court designs. No clock-stopping fouls in the final minute.

The third quarter was the epitome of execution. The Thunder, which won the quarter 43-41, shot 18-for-26, including 15-for-18 on 2-pointers. The Cavaliers were 15-for-26, including 7-for-14 on 3-pointers. The teams combined for four turnovers.

In the end, the Cavaliers offense outlasted the Thunder defense. Cleveland has the greatest (relative) offense in league history, thanks to elite passing, 3-point shooting and chemistry.

While Donovan Mitchell (3-for-16) struggled, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen dominated inside. The duo combined for 46 points on 17-for-24 shooting on easy shots. In all, the Cavaliers had 28 dunks and layups. Darius Garland had 18 points, seven assists, and the game-clinching basket in the closing seconds.

The Cavaliers, lobbying for four All-Star selections, are on pace to win 71 games.

The Thunder are on pace to win 69 games. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored 31 points, is the league’s best guard. Forward Jalen Williams, who had 25 points and nine assists, should make the All-Star team, too.

Oklahoma City is the best defensive team in the league, led by Williams, Isaiah Hartenstein and Alex Caruso, who missed the game with a strained left hip. But they miss center Chet Holmgren (right hip). He could return in two weeks.

MVP race >> Shai Gilgeous Alexander, Thunder (2, last week)

2. Nikola Jokic, Nuggets (1)
3. Jayson Tatum, Celtics (3)
4. Karl-Anthony Towns, Knicks (-)
5. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks (5)

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TEAMS >> Rankings

1. Cleveland Cavaliers (2, last week)

Game of the week >> Cavaliers at Thunder, Thursday at 7:30

2. Oklahoma City Thunder (1)
3. Boston Celtics (4)
4. Houston Rockets (5)
5. New York Knicks (3)
6. Denver Nuggets (6)

The Nuggets are 13-4 when Russell Westbrook starts.

7. Indiana Pacers (10)
8. Memphis Grizzlies (7)
9. Sacramento Kings (—)
10. Miami Heat (—)

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ALL-STAR TEAM >> 35 and older division

Stephen Curry, LeBron James and Kevin Durant, the nucleus of the U.S. Olympic team last summer, lead this mature All-Star team. Curry (36 years old) is shooting 50-40-90 again, Durant (36) is fifth in scoring, and LeBron (40) is fifth in assists. The team’s strengths are offense, depth and, well, experience. Their weaknesses are defense, rebounding and the center spot. Projected wins >> 50

starters (age)                         pts    reb    ast    shooting     TS%
F LeBron James, Lakers (40)           23.8    7.7    8.8    56-39-77    59.7  
F Kevin Durant, Suns (36)             27.1    6.3    4.1    53-40-84    63.3
C Brook Lopez, Bucks (36)             12.3    4.8    1.6    62-37-75    60.4
G Stephen Curry, Warriors (36)        22.6    5.1    6.1    51-41-93    61.5
G Chris Paul, Spurs (39)               9.6    4.3    8.3    51-36-98    57.2

bench (age)                            pts    reb    ast    shooting     TS%
F Jimmy Butler, Heat (35)             17.6    5.5    4.7    58-38-79    64.8
F DeMar DeRozan, Kings (35)           20.9    3.8    3.9    51-31-86    56.2
C Al Horford, Celtics (38)             8.5    5.4    2.2    58-36-83    56.1
G James Harden, Clippers (35)         21.4    6.0    7.9    44-34-88    56.3
G Russell Westbrook, Nuggets (36)     12.9    5.0    6.8    53-32-64    54.2

1. Only the Cavaliers, Thunder and Boston Celtics could be described as Finals favorites.