On January 9th, Beijing time, the NBA regular season continued with the Oklahoma City Thunder visiting the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Thunder were on a 15-game winning streak, while the Cavaliers were on a 10-game winning streak, making this matchup between the top teams in the East and West akin to a collision between Mars and Earth. The Cavaliers took the lead early in the game, but the Thunder came from behind to take a 7-point lead by the end of the first quarter. In the second quarter, the Cavaliers unleashed their firepower, outscoring the Thunder by 10 points to take the lead. After halftime, both teams engaged in a fierce shootout, with the Cavaliers scoring 41 points and the Thunder scoring 43 points in a single quarter, marking the first time this season that both teams scored over 40 points in a quarter! In the final quarter, the two teams exchanged leads, with the suspense lasting until the end. The Cavaliers seized the initiative through their rebounding advantage, and Garland made a crucial layup to seal the game! Ultimately, the Thunder lost to the Cavaliers 122-129.
The Thunder, the Western Conference powerhouse, had previously won all 11 games against Eastern Conference teams, earning them the title of invincible in the East; the Cavaliers, the Eastern Conference powerhouse, had won all 10 games against Western Conference teams, earning them the title of invincible in the West! The two teams met in a battle of gods, drawing level 8 times and exchanging leads 26 times, each showcasing their unique strengths! The Thunder focused on a small lineup, excelling in fast breaks and steals. Throughout the game, the Thunder outscored the Cavaliers 20-14 in fast break points, made 9 steals leading to 15 turnovers by the Cavaliers, and scored 21 points off those turnovers; in contrast, the Cavaliers made 7 steals, the Thunder had 13 turnovers, and the Cavaliers scored 19 points off turnovers. The Cavaliers boasted twin towers inside and a group of shooters outside, displaying their advantages in rebounds and three-point shooting. Throughout the game, the Cavaliers shot 15-of-36 from beyond the arc for a high 41.7% accuracy; the Thunder shot 11-of-31 from three-point range for only 35.5% accuracy. The Cavaliers had a 41-38 rebounding advantage, a 13-9 advantage in offensive rebounds, and a 60-14 advantage in points in the paint, ultimately winning the game through their dominance in offensive rebounds and attacking the basket.
The Thunder's longest-ever 15-game winning streak was ended by the league's dominant team, with the duo of Alexander and Jalen Williams doing their best, putting up comprehensive stats of 56 points, 10 rebounds, 13 assists, and 6 steals; in contrast, the Cavaliers' backcourt duo of Garland and Mitchell combined for just 29 points, 7 rebounds, and 11 assists. Alexander is a strong contender for MVP, facing off against King Mi with both offense and defense on his shoulders, especially in the last three quarters, where his unstoppable mid-range shots were a thing of beauty. Jalen Williams also had a statement game, particularly in the second and third quarters, fearlessly charging forward seven times, nearly matching Alexander's performance! As NBA commentator Burke put it, this young man will become an All-Star and be selected multiple times!
The Thunder's dynamic duo shone brightly, with Harten playing the role of the third superstar, battling the Cavaliers' twin towers, and he was simply too good! In this game, the Cavaliers' twin towers combined for 46 points, 22 rebounds, 13 assists, 4 steals, and 2 blocks, which were key to the Cavaliers' victory. Facing the Cavaliers' twin towers, Harten experienced the tragic feeling of being unable to overcome four hands with just two. Throughout the game, Harten committed 5 fouls, played 30 minutes, went 8-of-14 from the field, and 2-of-2 from the free-throw line, contributing a near-triple-double with 18 points, 11 rebounds, and 8 assists. Time and again, he completed extended free-throw line jumpers and hand-off passes to create opportunities for his teammates. Harten has now evolved into one of the league's top centers, a true lucky charm! According to statistics, in the games Harten has played this season, the Thunder have a record of 19 wins and 2 losses!
It's not disgraceful for the Western Conference's number one Thunder to lose on the road to the league's number one Cavaliers, especially since their star player Chet is still recovering from injury. Once Chet teams up with Harten to form an interior twin tower, they will have nothing to fear from the Cavaliers' twin towers. However, the Thunder must also see the gap in this close defeat. A small lineup is a double-edged sword; without stable and continuous three-point shooting and enough wing players to extinguish opponents' three-point barrages, it's too difficult to go head-to-head with top Eastern Conference teams like the Cavaliers and Celtics! Looking at it from another perspective, this loss might prompt the Thunder's management to make a decision and take action in the mid-season trade market, with upgrading the wing position becoming urgent! What do you think, basketball fans? Leave me a comment to discuss your thoughts.