Cavs vs Thunder scores, highlights, takeaways: OKC crushes Cleveland

On By Littum

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Round two off Cleveland Cavaliers against Oklahoma City Thunder went to Thunder.

It was an early knockout – the Thunder pounded the Cavaliers with haymakers and body shots. Dunks and 3-pointers were standard fare for Oklahoma City’s offense in a 134-114 victory against the Cavaliers.

Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 15 of his career-high 40 points in the first quarter as the Thunder built a 26-point lead in the first half and cruised to an easy victory in a matchup between the top two teams in the NBA.

Had this been a game, the referee would have stopped the contest as the Thunder took a 115-73 lead into the third quarter.

Oklahoma City extended its home winning streak to 10 games and ended Cleveland’s six-game winning streak. It was also Cleveland’s first loss in 12 games this season against a team from the West.

The OKC win came eight days after the Cavs beat the Thunder 129-122 in Cleveland. That contest lived up to the hype; the rematch did not.

Cavaliers vs Thunder highlights

How many points did Shai Gilgeous-Alexander score vs. Cavaliers?

Gilgeous-Alexander put another bright mark on his MVP candidacy, scoring 40 points on 17-for-26 shooting. He also had eight assists and two steals and reached 32 points with 8:09 left in the third quarter.

It was his fifth 40-point performance of the season and he did not play in the fourth quarter. He had 15 points in the first quarter, 11 points in the second and 14 points in the third.

Last season’s MVP runner-up, Gilgeous-Alexander, has made a strong push to win the award this season. Entering the game, he was averaging 31.4 points, 6.0 assists, 5.5 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 1.1 blocks per game.

How did the Thunder beat the Cavaliers?

This game was decided by an impressive Thunder first half. They scored 75 points in the first two quarters, including 43 in the second quarter.

The Thunder shot 60.9% from the field, 57.9% on 3s (11-for-19) and 100% on eight free throw attempts. In addition to Gilgeous-Alexander’s 26 first-half points, Lu Dort scored 13 points and Jalen Williams had 10 points for Oklahoma City, which boasts the No. 1 defense and no. 6 offensive. Dort finished with 22 points and Williams 19.

The Thunder are tied for an NBA single-season record for point differential of plus-12.8 points per game. game, surpassing the mark of plus-12.28 established by the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers.

Who was the Cavaliers leading scorer?

Darius Garland led the Cavs with 20 points on 7-for-10 shooting. He also had nine assists.

How many points did Donovan Mitchell score vs. Thunder?

Cavs star Donovan Mitchell had just eight points on 3-for-15 shooting – and he had just 11 points on 3-for-16 shooting in the Jan. 8 game. OKC’s defense has been great against Mitchell.

Did Isaiah Hartenstein play against the Cavaliers?

Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein missed the game with a strained left calf muscle, an injury he suffered Tuesday in Oklahoma City’s win against Philadelphia. He is expected to miss at least a week. The Thunder signed Hartenstein in free agency this summer, and he’s been productive (11.8 points, 12.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game), especially since they’ve been without starting center Chet Holmgren (broken pelvis) for the past two months.

Where are the Cavaliers in the standings?

The Cavs remain in first place in the Eastern Conference at 34-6. They have a six-game lead over second-place Boston and an eight-game lead over third-place New York.

According to tankathon.com, the Cavaliers have the 10th toughest remaining schedule.

Where are the Thunder in the standings?

The Thunder are in first place in the Western Conference at 34-6 and have a 6½-game lead over second-place Houston and an 8½-game lead over third-place Memphis.

According to tankathon.com, the Thunder have the 25th toughest remaining schedule.

Will the Thunder and Cavaliers meet in the NBA Finals?

It’s a big possibility, even considering that neither team has gone past the second round with this group of players.

The Cavaliers will likely have to beat defending champion Boston in a series, and the West has several teams capable of making a deep run. The Thunder could end up playing Minnesota in the first round, and the Timberwolves were a conference finalist last season.

It won’t be easy, but Cavaliers-Thunder is an enticing Finals matchup.

Will the Cavaliers or Thunder be active at the NBA trade deadline?

For the most part, both teams are happy with what they have, and a blockbuster move isn’t expected either. It’s more likely to add around the edges before the Feb. 6 trade deadline.

That said, it’s worth monitoring the Thunder’s interest in Brooklyn’s Cam Johnson, who is being sought by multiple teams. The Nets are holding out for the best offer, and they’re also content to keep Johnson around for the rest of the season.

What major awards will Thunder, Cavaliers win?

In USA TODAY Sports’ NBA midseason awards picks, Oklahoma City guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is MVP, Cavs guard Darius Garland is Clutch Player of the Year, Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson is Coach of the Year and Thunder vice president and general manager Sam Presti is Executive of the Year .