Cavaliers fans almost witnessed the same scenario, for the second time in two games! After dominating their subject in the first half with the LeVert-Allen tandem to support Darius Garland (59-46), the locals went to +17 following an alley-oop and two shots from Evan Mobley (72-55 ) and still had a 16-point lead two minutes from the end of the third quarter (80-64).
Suffice to say that the meeting was shaping up rather well for a “back-to-back”, with the absence of Donovan Mitchell as a bonus. Until OKC’s impressive awakening!
The Thunder indeed lined up a blistering 19-7 in less than eight minutes, an incredible sequence during which Aleksej Pokusevski and Isaiah Jones took advantage of a superb collective effort to catch fire from 3-pointers and go as far as equalizing at 89 -89!
Everything was reignited, and Cleveland fans were understandably holding their breath, 24 hours after experiencing similar disappointment. This time, the Cavs managed to get the time machine going again. First there was a 3-pointer at the head of the racket from Evan Mobley followed by a dunk from his friend Jarrett Allen.
It was then on a 10-0 concluded by a new dunk from Jarrett Allen, with the fault as a bonus, that the troops of JB Bickerstaff made the difference (104-93), while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander collected a 6e fault synonymous with expulsion, and victory for Cleveland (110-102).
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The Cavs reaction. Scalded by the disillusionment of the day before, the locals managed to recover this time. We can underline the contribution of the Mobley-Allen tandem in this reaction to the pride which allowed Cleveland to win. In the absence of Donovan Mitchell, everyone has to do a little more and the two control laps were invaluable in finishing in the “money-time”.
– Cleveland makes recipe from home. With 12 wins in 14 home games, the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse has looked like impregnable fortresses since the start of the season. For the moment, it is quite simply the best record in the league at home!
When Caris LeVert gets on Darius Bazley
Caris LeVert scored the coup to validate his good first half by offering a fierce dunk against Darius Bazley. The rear of the Cavaliers climbed the mountain of the Thunder to go and slam a poster with both hands. The “showtime” moment of the match!
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Evan Mobley. It’s hard to choose between him and Jarrett Allen. The balance tilts slightly in favor of Evan Mobley, for all of his work, namely his regular contribution throughout the match. It is also he who raises his own at the most important moment, at 89-89, brilliant at 3-pointers, not necessarily his favorite field. On arrival: a solid double-double (21 points, 12 rebounds) with 3 assists.
✅ Caris LeVert. He is a luxury substitute to compensate for the absence of Donovan Mitchell. He contributed perfectly to launch his team in the first half. A little less inspired after the rest, but a positive performance overall.
✅ Aleksej Pokusevsky. Another fine line of stats for him with 16 points, 14 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 blocks. He especially experienced a memorable heat stroke at the start of the fourth quarter by shooting anything that moves. Not rewarded for his efforts with a victory but still a good performance on his part.
⛔️ Luguentz Dort. A small match for his return to the game with still the external address which seems to flee him. The success of the Thunder also depends on him and his contribution on both sides of the field.
THE FOLLOWING
Cleveland (17-10): trip to San Antonio scheduled for Monday for the Cavs (2:30 a.m.)
Oklahoma City (11-15): the Thunder continue their journey to Dallas to face the Mavs this Monday (2:30 a.m.)
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