OKLAHOMA CITY — Hitting on a stepback 3-pointer, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sizzled out any chance of a potential double-digit blown lead.
The 3-pointer was the early dagger in the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 128-120 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. OKC wrapped up a lengthy six-game homestand with an impressive win over a quality opponent.
“That was a pretty complete game in terms of identity on both ends,” Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault said. “I thought we were tough defensively… We were physical tonight on that end… We had some really quality possessions on offense that got them moving around.”
Playing a healthy Cavaliers, the Thunder got off to a 36-29 lead following the first quarter. OKC added to its lead and entered halftime with a 70-57 advantage.
In the fourth quarter, a pair of free throws by Caris LeVert cut OKC’s lead to four points. Following that, the Thunder went on a 12-4 run to push their lead to 12 points with 3:23 left in the fourth quarter.
The Thunder continue to put up an offensive clinic. OKC shot 51% from the field and went 12-of-28 (42.9%) from 3. It also enjoyed a busy night from the free-throw line as it went 28-of-30.
Gilgeous-Alexander led the way with a season-high 43 points on 15-of-22 shooting. It was a much better night for him from the free-throw line as he went 12-of-13.
Chet Holmgren continues to play like an early Rookie of the Year favorite. In his rematch against the Cavaliers’ lengthy frontcourt, he had 15 points, seven rebounds and three blocks.
“Part of it is being in a lot of actions,” Holmgren said on his shot-contesting skills. “Usually, the other team’s five-man is setting a lot of screens, that means I’m guarding both the five and the guard for a period of time. A lot of times, those guards are coming off looking to score. I’m at the rim a lot and when I’m not, I’m closing out to shooters.”
Meanwhile, the Cavaliers struggled from 3 as they went 9-of-29 (31%). Cleveland also couldn’t take advantage of frequent trips to the free-throw line either as it went 27-of-37 (73%). The Thunder forced 20 turnovers against the Cavaliers and scored 30 points off of it.
“It was great team defense,” Lu Dort said on their defensive performance. “Just the effort was there to just have the back of the next man and just being able to load and contest at the rim and everything. I feel like they’re a tough team and our main thing was to make everything tough for them.”
Multi-time All-Star Donovan Mitchell was a nonfactor for the Cavaliers. He finished with 20 points on 8-of-23 shooting and went 1-of-9 from 3. Having to face the defensive two-man gauntlet of Dort and Cason Wallace was a tall task to overcome for Mitchell.
“He’s tough, he’s tough,” Dort said on guarding Mitchell. “He has the ball a lot. He’s a great player. My main thing is to make everything tough as always.”
The Cavaliers were led by Caris LeVert off the bench, who scored 29 points that included a 13-of-16 night from the free-throw line. Evan Mobley had 22 points and five rebounds.
Let’s look at Thunder player grades.