It was a big match on paper and we felt it from the first moments. Not because of crazy intensity, but with the concentration of both teams. It's fair, with patience because we know that up front, it's tough and that each mistake will be paid dearly. The start of the match is thus balanced, with Jarrett Allen raising the temperature for the Cavaliers with two dunks in a row. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tries but without much success, nevertheless the Thunder are in front at the end of the first twelve minutes (25-32).
Leaning on Evan Mobley, the Cavaliers started the second quarter with an 8-0 lead. The Thunder have trouble dealing with the size of Cleveland's interior, who can grab offensive rebounds. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is still not brilliant but with a few dunks, he gets easy baskets. Donovan Mitchell scores his first basket of the game, on a dunk, in the final seconds and if Cleveland is in front (62-59), the two teams do not let go.
Great Riders make the difference
Isaiah Hartenstein showed up more in attack after the break, but this time, “SGA” took charge. Problem: he is hampered by fouls and has to join the bench. And as the duo Evan Mobley – Jarrett Allen still does so much damage under the circle, the Cavaliers take a little lead. With activity in all areas of Hartenstein, the Thunder are not left behind for long, and even take control by stealth. But on a winning basket from Donovan Mitchell, it is the leaders of the Eastern Conference who enter the last quarter in front (103-102).
The Cavaliers, taking advantage of their opponent's numerous lost balls and a good Ty Jerome, then went 8-0. But it was written that this match would be fought until the end. Nevertheless, with a strong defense which limits the Thunder's choices and above all a slew of offensive rebounds, Kenny Atkinson's troops manage to win 129-122, at the end of an excellent match.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– End of series for Oklahoma City. A series was inevitably going to end at the end of this “historic” meeting. No 16th victory in a row for the Thunder and therefore an 11th in a row for the Cavaliers, who thus confirm their status as leaders of the NBA this season. Cleveland still hasn't lost to a Western franchise…
– Cleveland won the battle inside. This is the key to victory. Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen did terrible harm to the Thunder, who only had the excellent Isaiah Hartenstein to respond. It is in a meeting like this that Chet Holmgren is greatly missed. The two Cleveland players compiled 46 points and 21 rebounds, including 9 offensive ones! The Thunder defense never found the solutions to limit the impact of the big guys.
– The Donovan Mitchell – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander duel. The big matches often belong to the stars. This one not really since the first was discreet and clumsy, only scoring three times, at important moments nonetheless, for 11 points in total. The second tried a lot, but without dominating as he has done so well recently. The Canadian finished with 31 points at 13/27 shooting, which remains good, but his 5 lost balls and his 1/6 at 3-pts show that he was not having the best of evenings.
Highlights to come…
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
