On January 8, the clash of the two heavyweights at the start of the season, Cavaliers – Thunder, offered a suspenseful match, won by Cleveland in large part thanks to its domination under the circle. This Thursday, Cleveland could count on the same weapons when Oklahoma City had to do without Isaiah Hartenstein, his double-double machine under the circle. And yet it was OKC who had complete control over the match.
Between the two meetings, it was day and night in many ways. From the 30 changes of leader in Ohio, the “return match” moved to a spectacle offered by a single team, with three electric blue initials embroidered on the chest. Against one of the best duos in the league near the circle, the Thunder could have expected to suffer again with Jaylin Williams (starter) and Branden Carlson, rookie currently under contract for 10 days, as their only professional interiors. But instead of trying to hold on at all costs and hope to limit the damage, the Thunder managed to prevent it from happening.
“ It was nothing new for us in the way we attacked, we have played small before » estimated coach Mark Daigneaultwho had already had to do without the Hartenstein – Chet Holmgren tandem at position 5 for five games at the start of the season. “ So you just have to persist and sign on to this path. And I think we learned some very good things from the match in Cleveland that we were able to put together, particularly at the start of the game. »
A 30-2 in the first period
With an ultra-aggressive defense on the outside lines and at the head of the racket, the locals never let the Cavaliers install their attacking game, in particular the role of Evan Mobley. Without impact because it was frequently cut off from its offensive keystone, Cleveland was taken by the throat, then completely drowned. “ We managed the heart of their attack much better tonight » welcomed Mark Daigneault. “ We managed to limit this part of their game. » « We did a really good job of that, being 'dirty' when their insides were dribbling, getting loose balls, helping out, being all out. » added Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at a press conference.
It is through this constant intensity in defense, which recalled that of the second period against the Celtics on January 5, that Oklahoma City broke away in the first quarter, leaving only crumbs ( 14 points) to the Cavaliers. “ We did a good job defending together as a team, avoiding defensive mistakes and really making him work on every possession. » insisted Jalen Williams after the match. Given confidence and galvanized by a Paycom Center of great evenings, the Thunder passed a thunderous 30-2 straddling the first and second quarters (from 10-12 to 40-14). With 30 points conceded following lost balls, the Cavaliers never really recovered.
“ This kind of series doesn't come around often. » underlined Gilgeous-Alexander, monstrous Thursday with his 40 points. “ We played well both offensively and defensively, and we continued to accumulate possessions and stay in the moment. You give yourself a chance to do runs like this when you do all the little details. […] As the main scorer and leader, I'm going to get most of the compliments, but everyone sees it, we call them the cockroaches in our locker room, the cockroaches and the hyenas that do all the dirty work. »
18 points and 10 rebounds only for the Mobley – Allen duo
“SGA” drew all the spotlight on him, and did not need any interior fixation point to chain penetrations towards the opposing circle. But he was able to count on the contributions of Jalen Williams and Lu Dort (19 and 22 points), but also rotations. Alex Caruso (10 points and 3 steals in 14 minutes), Isaiah Joe (4/7 at 3-points and 2 steals) and even the surprise of leader Branden Carlson all contributed in short sequences to maintain constant pressure on the Cavs . Carlson, 10 games and 15 points in his career before Thursday, signed – by far – his records with 11 points including three long shots in 18 minutes of play, to bring his combination of centimeters (2m13) and shooting precision.
And despite a well-feathered racket, the Thunder looked Cleveland in the eye inside. Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen were limited to 18 points and 10 rebounds combined, compared to the 46 points and 22 rebounds in the first game between the two teams. The locals even allowed themselves to win the rebound battle during the first three quarters before a final act where the players from the back of the local bench did not really exist. Not enough to diminish the impact of a success capable of making an impression, and which brings the leader of the West up to the balance sheet of their victim of the evening at the top of the NBA.
