The Oklahoma City Thunder’s impressive 15-game winning streak came to an end against the Cleveland Cavaliers in a closely contested matchup. As a Thunder beat writer, I’ve been following this team’s journey closely, and this game provided plenty of food for thought.
Despite the loss, it’s crucial to put this game into perspective. The Thunder were facing their third consecutive game against a legitimate title contender, and they did so without key players like Chet Holmgren, Alex Caruso, and A.J. Mitchell. While the “next man up” mentality is admirable, the absence of these players, particularly Holmgren, was felt acutely against a team like Cleveland.
Holmgren’s absence was particularly noticeable in defending the pick-and-roll. Cleveland exploited this weakness, consistently drawing out Isaiah Hartenstein and Jalen Williams to the perimeter, leaving the rim unprotected. This led to easy layups or open three-pointers for the Cavaliers.
SGA’s Uncharacteristic Performance
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s stat line might look impressive at first glance - 31 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks. However, his 5 turnovers and 5 fouls tell a different story. SGA seemed to struggle with decision-making at times, reminiscent of Russell Westbrook’s occasional overzealous play. This is an anomaly for SGA, and not something to be overly concerned about long-term.
Rebounding Woes and Zone Defense
The Thunder’s rebounding struggles were evident, with Cleveland winning the battle 51-43. However, it’s worth noting that the Thunder have addressed this issue by acquiring Holmgren, whose return should help mitigate this weakness.
Another area of concern was the Thunder’s performance against Cleveland’s zone defense. This has been a trend for two years now, and it’s something the team needs to work on. However, with Holmgren’s return and Hartenstein’s passing ability, there’s potential for improvement in this area.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Thunder’s performance against the Cavaliers, tune into the Locked On Thunder podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Thunder Podcast:
• Jalen Williams’ strong performance for three quarters
• Isaiah Hartenstein’s foul trouble and its impact
• The effectiveness of Cleveland’s defensive strategy against OKC
