Cleveland ends Oklahoma City’s 15-game winning streak in clash of NBA’s top teams | NBA

On By Littum

Jarrett Allen had 25 points and 12 rebounds to lift the host Cleveland Cavaliers to a 129-122 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday in a matchup between the top two teams in the NBA.

Evan Mobley contributed 21 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists for the Cavaliers, who have won 11 straight overall and improved to 11-0 against Western Conference opponents. Oklahoma City rode a franchise-record 15-game winning streak into this matchup.

Cleveland’s Darius Garland scored 18 points and Max Strus sank five 3-pointers to highlight his 17-point performance off the bench. Ty Jerome had 15 points and Donovan Mitchell finished with 11 despite making just three of 16 shots from the floor for the Cavaliers.

Oklahoma City superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 points and Jalen Williams added 25 plus nine assists.

Isaiah Hartenstein had 18 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists and Cason Wallace had 15 points for the Thunder, who hadn’t lost since Dec. 1 at the Houston Rockets. They fall to 11-1 against Eastern Conference foes.

Cleveland clung to a 125-122 lead before successfully challenging a foul called on Mitchell with 1:19 left in the fourth quarter. Officials ruled that Mitchell did not make enough contact to warrant a foul as he fought for a rebound, allowing his team to keep the ball.

Mobley made a running jumper in the lane and Garland added a finger roll layup with 27.1 seconds left to seal the win.

Jarrett Allen, left, celebrates with Donovan Mitchell after the Cavaliers’ win Wednesday night. Photo: Jason Miller/Getty Images

Oklahoma City weathered the storm after Gilgeous-Alexander committed two quick fouls to begin the third quarter, giving him four for the game. The Thunder held the fort and even tied the game at 100-100 on Aaron Wiggins’ tip-in with 47 seconds left in the quarter.

Kenrich Williams’ jumper gave Oklahoma City a 34-25 lead early in the second quarter before Cleveland responded with an 8-0 run. The Thunder maintained the advantage throughout the second before Allen converted an alley-oop.

Mitchell made his first field goal with an emphatic dunk to give the Cavaliers a 62-59 halftime lead.