January 8, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) celebrates after hitting a three-point basket during the first quarter of an NBA game against the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Photos
Jarrett Allen had 25 points and 12 rebounds to lead the host Cleveland Cavaliers to a 129-122 victory over the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder on Wednesday in a battle between the NBA’s two best teams.
Evan Mobley contributed 21 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists for the Cavaliers, who won 11 straight overall and improved to 11-0 against Western Conference opponents. Oklahoma Metropolis was on a franchise-record 15-game winning streak in this matchup.
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Cleveland’s Darius Garland scored 18 points and Max Strus hit five 3-pointers to highlight his 17-point performance off the bench. Ty Jerome scored 15 points and Donovan Mitchell finished with 11 despite shooting just 3 of 16 from the floor for the Cavaliers.
Oklahoma Metropolis superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 points and Jalen Williams added 25 to go along with nine assists.
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January 8, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) and guard Darius Garland (10) celebrate after Mitchell made a three-point basket during the second half of an NBA game against the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Photos
Isaiah Hartenstein had 18 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists, and Cason Wallace scored 15 points for the Thunder, who had not lost since December 1 against the Houston Rockets. They fall to 11-1 against Eastern Conference foes.
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Cleveland was clinging to a 125-122 lead before successfully challenging a foul called on Mitchell with 1:19 left in the fourth quarter. The referees deemed Mitchell did not make enough contact to warrant a foul while competing for a rebound, allowing his team to keep the ball.
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Mobley made a jumper in the lane and Garland added a fingertip layup with 27.1 seconds left to seal the victory.
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Oklahoma Metropolis weathered the storm after Gilgeous-Alexander picked up two quick fouls early in the third quarter, giving him four for the game. The Thunder held the fort and even forged a 100-100 tie on a tip-in shot by Aaron Wiggins with 47 seconds left in the quarter.
A Kenrich Williams jumper gave Oklahoma Metropolis a 34-25 lead early in the second quarter before Cleveland responded with an 8-0 run. The Thunder held the lead through the second before Allen converted an alley-oop.
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Mitchell scored his first field goal with an emphatic dunk to give the Cavaliers a 62-59 lead at intermission. –Media at field level
