The Cavaliers beat the Thunder in the clash of the NBA’s top teams

On By Littum

CLEVELAND, OHIO - JANUARY 08: Darius Garland #10 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts in the second quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on January 8, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTICE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and or using this photograph, User consents to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

The Cavaliers won a breakout game on Wednesday. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

The Cleveland Cavaliers can officially claim the title of the NBA’s top team. For now.

The Cavs defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 129-122 on Wednesday in a matchup that lived up to its best-in-the-east and best-in-the-west billing. Usually you have to wait for the NBA Finals for that kind of game.

They snapped a 15-game winning streak for the Thunder, and continued an 11-game streak for Cleveland. The Cavaliers are now 32-4, and on their second double-digit winning streak of the season.

At the end of the first quarter, the Thunder were up by seven. By the end of the second, the Cavaliers were up by three. By the end of the third, the Cavaliers were ahead by one, then lost the lead on the first OKC possession of the fourth. Neither team ever led by double digits, and the lead was changed 30 times.

The NBA’s best offense beat the NBA’s best defense, with another game scheduled in just over a week. However, it would surprise few observers if these teams played four to seven more times.

It was definitely the Cavaliers game played, with each team shooting over 50% on 90 field goal attempts. As some will note, the Thunder entered the game missing key players Chet Holmgren and Alex Caruso, and they nearly made up for it with their third-best shooting performance of the season. Unfortunately, with a home crowd behind them, the Cavaliers’ offense ended up getting a little too comfortable.

Jarrett Allen led the Cavaliers in scoring with 25 points on 9-of-11 shooting, along with 12 rebounds, six assists and three steals. He benefited from the Cavaliers’ 36 assists on 47 field goals and found the holes in an OKC defense that has squeezed the life out of most of the teams they’ve played.

The Thunder could conceivably have Holmgren and/or Caruso back in time for next Thursday’s game, but Wednesday showed that you don’t need both teams to be 100% to feel good. Although the Thunder lost, they left the arena with little reason to believe they are not the West’s top team.