Cleveland Cavaliers Overcome OKC Thunder in the Battle of the No.1 Seeds

09 Jan 2025 ScoreWaves Staff view

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The 2024/25 NBA season has had no shortage of standout performances, but two teams have truly raised the bar: the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Both franchises sit atop their respective conferences after 36 games, setting the pace for the league. So, when they faced off last night, it was hyped as a showdown between the NBA's best. And boy, did it deliver! In a thrilling contest, the Cavs emerged victorious with a 129-122 win.

For now, the Cleveland Cavaliers can confidently stake their claim as the NBA's top team. Their impressive win last night snapped OKC’s remarkable 15-game winning streak while extending their own to 11 games. The Cavs now sit comfortably atop the Eastern Conference with a dazzling 32-4 record, while the Thunder lead the West at 30-6. The game itself was a rollercoaster from start to finish. By the end of the first quarter, OKC had built a seven-point lead. By halftime, Cleveland had clawed ahead by three. Heading into the fourth, the Cavs were up by just one point, only to lose the lead on OKC’s first possession of the fourth quarter. Neither team managed a double-digit lead all night, and the momentum shifted an astonishing 30 times.

It was a classic battle between the league’s best offense and its stingiest defense. To their credit, OKC came into the game shorthanded, missing key players Chet Holmgren and Alex Caruso. Even so, they nearly pulled it off, delivering their third-best shooting performance of the season. But in the end, Cleveland’s offense, fueled by the energy of their home crowd, proved just a little too sharp, sealing a hard-fought victory in what was undoubtedly a statement game for the Cavaliers.

Jarrett Allen was the driving force behind the Cavaliers’ victory, delivering a standout performance with 25 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists. He wasn’t alone in his efforts—Evan Mobley chipped in with 21 points, and Darius Garland added 18 to keep Cleveland’s offense humming. However, the night wasn’t smooth sailing for everyone. Donovan Mitchell had an uncharacteristically tough outing, scoring just 11 points on a frustrating 3-of-16 shooting performance. Fortunately for the Cavs, their bench rose to the occasion. Max Strus provided a spark with 17 points, while Ty Jerome came in hot, pouring in 15 points in just 12 minutes to ease the pressure on Mitchell and help secure the win.

On the other side, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continued his MVP-caliber season, leading the Thunder with 31 points. Jalen Williams also shone, contributing 25 points and 9 assists in a valiant effort. Despite their brilliance, OKC fell just short in what was a thrilling contest. Fans won’t have to wait long for the rematch – these two powerhouses will face off again on 16th January. This time, the Thunder will have the home-court advantage, and with the potential returns of Chet Holmgren and Alex Caruso, OKC will be eager to even the score in what promises to be another epic showdown.