Thunder overpower short-handed Cavaliers 136-104 in Cleveland
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The Oklahoma City Thunder imposed their will from the opening tip and rolled to a 136-104 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday afternoon at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
Oklahoma City (36-8) set the tone with constant ball pressure and crisp rotations, overwhelming a Cleveland lineup missing guards Darius Garland, Sam Merrill and Max Strus. The reigning champions never trailed and led by 15 at halftime before closing the door with a 45-25 fourth quarter.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander paced the Thunder with 30 points, while rookie center Chet Holmgren added 28. Oklahoma City earned the win despite the absence of All-Star forward Jalen Williams and center Isaiah Hartenstein.
The Cavaliers (24-20) struggled to generate consistent offense. Donovan Mitchell finished with 19 points on 5-of-18 shooting, repeatedly stymied by Thunder stopper Lu Dort. Cleveland hit just 4-of-18 three-point attempts in the first half and never found a reliable counter inside.
Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, DeAndre Hunter and Jaylon Tyson each scored 16 for the home side, but no other Cavalier reached double figures.
Oklahoma City’s defensive effort limited Cleveland to reactive possessions for much of the afternoon. When the Cavaliers briefly trimmed a 20-point third-quarter deficit to nine, the Thunder responded immediately, stretching the margin beyond reach in the final period.
Cleveland returns to action later this week still searching for offensive answers without key perimeter shooters. Oklahoma City continues its road swing carrying the league’s best record and an identity that traveled well on Monday.
Source: Hoops Wire
