On a night when both teams were missing key rotational pieces, it was the Oklahoma City Thunder who found a way to win, beating the Cleveland Cavaliers 117-112. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dropped 40 points and hit the go-ahead three-pointer with 32 seconds to go to clinch the game. Donovan Mitchell and Maleek Thomas, who was starting for Peyton Watson, led the Cavs with 17 points apiece.
Cleveland was without Watson (hamstring) and Jaylon Tyson (ankle), depleting an already thin wing room. Oklahoma City
was without stars Jalen Williams (ankle) and Chet Holmgren (knee).
The Cavs had an exceptionally well-rounded effort with seven players in double-figures, but the Thunder had the better star down the stretch. All of Cleveland’s starters had at least 14 points, and Mario Hezonja and Tyrese Proctor had 12 and 10 points off the bench respectively. But while the box score looks good, the Cavs’ inability to finish defensive possessions ended up dooming them. In a tightly-contested game, the little things reared their ugly heads.
As has been the case to start the season, the Cavs’ inability to close out games in high-pressure situations continues to be a glaring issue. Cleveland briefly held the lead, but then gave up key buckets to Ajay Mitchell — who himself was thrust into a bigger role — and Gilgeous-Alexander. After Sam Merrill’s three-pointer tied things up with 91 seconds to go, the Cavs never scored again.
The Cavs trailed the Thunder by 11 at the break, but fought back hard in the third quarter and made it a game. But the difference ended up being determined by the the Thunder’s star point guard. James Harden’s last bucket came with 8:51 left in the third quarter, and his last points scored period were on free throws with eight minutes left in the game. The rookie Thomas attempted six more shots than Harden on a night the Cavs could have used boost.
Players like Gilgeous-Alexander are going to get their buckets, that’s why he is an MVP candidate and one of the best in the league. But the Cleveland fought back hard, had a solid team effort, and came up short at home because its stars were not able to get them over the hump in crunch time.
Sound familiar?
