The battle between the Eastern and Western Conference powerhouses, the league-leading Cavaliers and the second-ranked Thunder, was highly anticipated. The Thunder entered the game on a 15-game winning streak, while the Cavaliers were on a 10-game streak. In the end, the Cavaliers emerged victorious with a score of 129-122.
Despite the Thunder's impressive run, they fell short against the Cavaliers, who displayed a formidable combination of offense and defense with no apparent weaknesses and a deep rotation. The absence of Holmgren was a significant blow to the Thunder, as Hartenstein put up a strong performance but struggled to match up against the Cavaliers' twin towers, Allen and Mobley.
The Thunder's backcourt, led by Alexander, outperformed Mitchell, but the Cavaliers' interior duo of Mobley and Allen proved to be a tough challenge. The Cavaliers' Strus and Jerome provided valuable contributions off the bench, while the Thunder's supporting cast, including Joe and Wiggins, struggled to keep up.
Both teams played with high defensive intensity from the start, as this matchup could potentially be a preview of the NBA Finals. The Cavaliers started strong with Garland and Wade scoring six points from beyond the arc, while the Thunder responded with Jai.
The Cavaliers then capitalized on their interior advantage, with Allen dominating the paint. Strus played a pivotal role, not only nailing three-pointers but also dishing out assists. The Cavaliers quickly took control, while the Thunder relied on Alexander and Jai's individual scoring prowess to stay competitive, leading by seven points at the end of the first quarter.
In the second quarter, the Cavaliers capitalized on Alexander and Jai's rest time to launch a counterattack. Strus and Jerome combined for 13 points, and Mobley hit three consecutive shots. Despite Alexander and Jai's continued efforts, the Cavaliers' overwhelming interior presence allowed them to take a three-point lead at halftime.
In the third quarter, both teams elevated their offensive game to the maximum. Hartenstein, Alexander, and Jai attacked from inside and out, while Garland and Wade went on a scoring spree. The Thunder scored 43 points in the quarter, while the Cavaliers had 41, but the Cavaliers maintained a one-point lead.
In the final quarter, both teams experienced a drop in energy. However, Mitchell, who had been struggling, found his rhythm and hit a crucial three-pointer to give the Cavaliers a seven-point lead. Hartenstein fought hard, helping the Thunder close the gap to two points.
However, in the closing moments, the Thunder's rebounding faltered. The Cavaliers repeatedly grabbed offensive rebounds with their twin towers, and Mobley's hook shot over Hartenstein effectively sealed the game.
Notably, during the game, the camera frequently focused on Holmgren as the Thunder's interior was dominated by the Cavaliers. However, there was little that could be done, as Chet was too fragile.
In terms of statistics, Mitchell of the Cavaliers managed to win despite shooting only 3 out of 16. The twin towers, Allen, shot 9 out of 11 for 25 points and 12 rebounds, while Mobley contributed 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists, and Garland added 18 points.
For the Thunder, Alexander scored an impressive 31 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists, Jai had 25 points, and Hartenstein finished with 18 points, 11 rebounds, and 8 assists, shooting 8 out of 14.
We previously mentioned not to underestimate the Cavaliers. Do not assume that the Celtics will easily defend their title, as recent history has shown that no team has successfully won back-to-back championships since the Warriors in 2017 and 2018. The Warriors aimed for a three-peat in 2019 but became increasingly exhausted, ultimately losing to the Raptors, who were led by Leonard.
From 2020 to 2024, different teams claimed the championship each year: the Lakers in 2020, the Bucks in 2021, the Warriors in 2022, the Nuggets in 2023, and the Celtics in 2024. This year, it is evident that the Celtics' motivation is waning. The Nuggets' path to the 2023 championship was smoother than the Celtics', yet they still fell in the second round the following year.
Therefore, the Cavaliers have a strong chance at the championship this year. Do not dismiss the quality of their stars; reaching the top of the league is no small feat. Currently, all signs point to the Cavaliers being a strong contender for the title. Especially after today's victory, the probability of the Cavaliers unifying the league is growing stronger.