Oklahoma City turns a first-quarter hole into an 11-point cushion behind a dominant second quarter and 33 combined points from its backcourt.
Cleveland opened with a 30-26 first-quarter edge, but Oklahoma City flipped the game by winning the second 33-18 and taking a 59-48 halftime lead. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has 17 points and Ajay Mitchell 16, powering a Thunder offense that answered the Cavs’ fast start. Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell has 9 points and 4 assists, while Jarrett Allen has added 9; the Cavaliers were outscored by 15 in the second quarter. After the break, watch whether Cleveland can contain the Thunder’s scoring pair and revive its offense; both teams entered 4-2, with Cleveland ranked 10th and Oklahoma City 13th in the power index.
Key Performers
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC): 17 points, 3 assists Ajay Mitchell (OKC): 16 points, 4 rebounds Donovan Mitchell (CLE): 9 points, 4 assists