The Cleveland Cavaliers suffered a surprising and devastating loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, falling 134-114 in a game that wasn’t as close as the final score suggests. As someone who’s covered the Cavs extensively, I didn’t see this coming, and I doubt many fans did either.
The Thunder played what might be the most complete game I’ve seen from any NBA team this season. They looked like a desperate team fighting for their playoff lives, despite it being a mid-January contest. Their intensity and focus were unmatched, and they dominated every facet of the game.
While it’s tempting to sound the alarms after such a lopsided defeat, especially on national TV, I don’t believe this single game is cause for panic. However, there are concerning trends that extend beyond this matchup.
Defensive Struggles
The most glaring issue for the Cavs is their recent defensive performance. In their last 10 games, Cleveland ranks 22nd in defensive rating. For a team with championship aspirations and defensive stalwarts like Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, this is simply not good enough.
The Cavs struggled in both man and zone coverage against OKC, unable to find any defensive rhythm. This continues a worrying trend that began in late December. Despite going 8-2 in their last 10 games, the team’s defensive rating of 115 during this stretch is far from championship-caliber.
Donovan Mitchell’s Matchup Woes
Another point of concern is Donovan Mitchell’s struggles against the Thunder, particularly when matched up with Lu Dort. Mitchell scored just 8 points on 3-of-15 shooting in limited minutes. While it’s important to note he didn’t play in the fourth quarter due to the blowout, this continues a pattern of difficulty against Dort’s defense.
Looking Ahead
The key now is how the Cavs respond to this humbling defeat. Great teams use losses like this as motivation to improve and come back stronger. With upcoming games against tough opponents like the Minnesota Timberwolves and Phoenix Suns, Cleveland has an immediate opportunity to right the ship and show their resilience.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Cavs’ performance against the Thunder, tune into the Locked On Cavs podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Cavs Podcast:
• Darius Garland’s strong performance as a bright spot
• Evan Mobley’s struggles against OKC’s physical defense
• The importance of the Cavs’ response in upcoming games
