The Paycom Centre has endured torment for half a season. Adversaries are aware of what they confront. They prepare for it, reviewing footage of the possible casualties. Some manage to evade capture. However, all experience discomfort, a common occurrence when one steps onto the light hardwood in Oklahoma City.
The Thunder secured a swift victory, defeating the East’s top-seeded Cavaliers 134-114, seemingly with ease. A swift, devastating manoeuvre left Cleveland disoriented before they could comprehend it.
- A barrage of strikes. Minimal response. The Thunder had inflicted sufficient damage to maintain a comfortable distance from the Cavaliers.
They referred to it as The Rematch. Both teams were unidentifiable on Thursday.
Oklahoma City opened the game without Isaiah Hartenstein, its sole rotational 7-footer. An imposing, mobile double-double who was overpowered by the Cavaliers’ starting frontcourt a week prior.
Cleveland arrived with the identical roster that previously outperformed OKC. Their stars simply appeared distinct.
Evan Mobley, who had previously assisted centre Jarrett Allen in containing Hartenstein, was subdued. He accumulated a mere five points, achieving a shooting percentage of 2 for 7 and incurring two turnovers. OKC, despite employing small lineups, consistently prevented him from receiving the ball comfortably.
Donovan Mitchell, the primary scorer for Cleveland, concluded the game with a shooting performance of 3 for 15.
OKC restricted the Cavaliers to a just 13 out of 42 from three-point range.
The Thunder’s undersized lineups were formidable. Enraged. They arrived and departed, igniting fires in their wake.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander accumulated 40 points without participating in the fourth quarter. He accomplished this with several lineups, including centre Jaylin Williams, 10-day contract recipient Branden Carlson, and in the absence of any player taller than himself.
They accumulated 30 points from 21 turnovers. Several quarters over 40 points.
The initial amalgamation of OKC transpired rapidly. However, it prolonged Cleveland’s sentence by approximately a fourth longer than necessary.
The Thunder exhibit no mercy.
