The NBA regular season continues with the Cavaliers hosting the Thunder at home. The two teams are evenly matched in strength and fought fiercely, with the outcome only being decided in the final moments. Ultimately, the Cavaliers narrowly defeated the Thunder 129-122, ending their opponents' 15-game winning streak and welcoming an 11-game winning streak at home. This battle has made it clear that these four players are simply too strong.
Cavaliers center Allen dominated the paint with powerful dunks and defensive blocks, doing as he pleased inside. He was particularly crucial in key moments, continuously fighting for rebounds, grabbing 8 offensive rebounds on his own while the entire Thunder team only managed 9. His dominance is undeniable, as he went 11 for 9 from the field, 7 for 10 from the free-throw line, scoring 25 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals, with a plus-minus of +7.
Cavaliers power forward Mobley is tall, tough, and possesses great mobility. In a critical moment, he successfully executed a one-on-one move against Hartenstein, securing the victory. A versatile forward who excels on both offense and defense is highly sought after. He went 13 for 8 from the field, 5 for 7 from the free-throw line, scoring 21 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block, with a plus-minus of +8.
Thunder center Hartenstein was the most important acquisition during the Thunder's offseason, addressing their weakness in the paint. Today, facing the Cavaliers' twin towers, he played hard and aggressively. Against the zone defense, his mid-range jump shots posed a dilemma for the Cavaliers. However, "two fists can't beat four hands," and with Chet's return, we look forward to the twin towers you will form together. He went 14 for 8 from the field, scoring 18 points, 11 rebounds, and 8 assists, with a plus-minus of -2.
Thunder leader Alexander is incredibly consistent in scoring, but he struggled somewhat against the Cavaliers' solid defense, committing 5 turnovers. His inconsistency in outside shooting was exposed in this game, and he still needs to work on it. He went 21 for 13 from the field, 4 for 4 from the free-throw line, scoring 31 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks, with a plus-minus of -1.