CLEVELAND — The much-anticipated matchup in the NBA this season lived up to the hype as the Cleveland Cavaliers faced off against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night. Cleveland emerged victorious with a score of 129-122, marking their 11th consecutive win and improving their impressive record to 32-4, which is currently the best in the league. This victory also ended the Thunder’s remarkable 15-game winning streak.
This game held a unique significance as it was the first time in NBA history that a team with a winning streak of at least 15 games played against a team with a winning streak of at least 10 games.
Cleveland’s Strong Record
With their latest win, the Cavaliers matched the fifth-best start to a season in NBA history at 32-4. To put this achievement into perspective, only a handful of teams have begun a season with a record as strong; the Golden State Warriors famously began their 2015-16 season at 34-2, while legendary teams like the Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Lakers, and Chicago Bulls also had starts of 33-3 or better.
A Competitive Game
Cleveland went into the fourth quarter with a narrow lead of 103-102, showcasing a highly competitive and entertaining game where both teams scored over 100 points after three quarters. Notably, this was just the seventh time this season that both teams have crossed that threshold by that point in the game.
The game featured an astounding 30 lead changes, making it one of the most dynamic contests of the season. In fact, it was only the second game this year to see such a high number of shifts in momentum.
Third Quarter Action
The third quarter alone saw a high-scoring battle, with Oklahoma City edging out Cleveland 43-41. This marked the first instance this season where both teams managed to score 40 points in a single quarter.
Close Calls Throughout
Throughout the match, the competition remained fierce, with neither team leading by double digits at any point. Cleveland’s largest lead was just seven points, while Oklahoma City’s was a bit larger at nine.
Offensive Prowess
On the defensive front, Oklahoma City allowed a season-high 129 points, highlighting a struggle defensively that hadn’t been seen before this season. The Thunder have proven they can win when keeping opponents under 115 points, as they held a record of 29-1 in those scenarios. With this loss, they also slipped behind Orlando in the league rankings for points allowed per game.
For the Cavaliers, their offense shined brightly, improving their record to 19-1 when scoring 120 points or more in a game. This continued dominance on offense cements their status as a formidable team to watch as the season progresses.
