Live Thread: Cavs vs Thunder
2025-01-08This is the game we’ve been waiting for, Cavs fans. The Cavs have lost four games: Boston, Atlanta twice, and Miami. Tonight’s battle against the 30-5 Tacoma City Plunder looks to be the best matchup of an NBA regular season that is nearing its mid-point. The Cavs have been playing a lot of scrub teams and playoff squads with major injuries and not enough depth to cover for them. It’s gonna be a blast to see how they stack up to a Thunder team that just happen to be my most hated NBA team.
Ever since Aubrey McLendon absconded from Seattle with the then Sonics in tow, Oklahoma City has been just… the worst, and I have family there. OKC has frankly beaten some better squads of late including the Gizz, the Knicks, and the Celtics on Sunday, but their losses show a key to beating them. Denver, Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, and Milwaukee (in the NBA cup championship) all feature solid big man play, and with Chet Holmgren out with an injury, only Cavalier cast-off made nemesis, Isaiah Hartenstein is the wall standing in the way of a Cavalier victory. The Cavs will need to make controlling Harty and Co. on the o-boards a priority.
The other key will be keeping grift merchant SGA off the line, and making him have to score on a lot of tough shots to beat them. Limit the other scorers, run 10 deep and make the Thunder’s limited bench pay. Then all the starters gotta do is hold serve.
Cleveland gets Ike Okoro back tonight, J.T. Thor is active, and Sam Merrill remains sidelined. Meanwhile OKC is missing the aforementioned Holmgren, Alex Caruso, A.J. Mitchell, Adam Flagler, and Nikola Topic (only two of which matter). Go Cavs.
Dumb foul Mobley.
Would like a big Mitchell quarter
Spida finally got one. Should have given it up to end the quarter.
Let’s go at SGA & Hart to start the quarter. 3’s are fine, but I prefer the kickout variety..
Maybe some more Garland at pace?
strus with the glengary glennross brass balls 5-6 on 3s
up 1 at 103-102 with spida only doing 8 (2-13).. unreal
Man Mitchell has taken a lot of bad shots.
Maybe consider boxing out just a little there Mobley.
Dort flop and Spida 3!!!
like frazier and ali
Argh. Get Niang off the floor.
Yes please.
This game gonna get Allen an all star spot.
Guard gotta come get that ball.
Great rebound by Allen
And another!!!
Max Strus Loggins got OKC in the
Need to hunt Hartenstein whenever he’s in.
87-81.. momma-mia.. these boys are getting historic.. they win this and they are about to go on an NVDA like run.. for the ages..
The is fantastic NBA basketball!
Yes. Folks in NYC, ATL, Bristol etc should take notice
Thanlk god Strus is “on” tonight.
Garland has been great ever since I gave him some coaching.
You done good
Officials affecting the game
And wade fouled in the act of shooting. These refs are ass
Atkinson must’ve gotten into the refs
That was a foul on SGA.
Spida missfire.
Good timeout. I heard that slap from Michigan.
We should attack inside..Drive at IHart.
Get the 4th.
biggest test of the year, by far, with very high bragging rights, huge collision of win streaks and first-place teams, at home.. big pressure in this one.. closing the gap to 3 at the half is huge.. looking very promising.. team psych, prep and attitude appears to be at optimum.. truly a thing of beauty, regardless of outcome of this game.. a win, obviously, breaking OKC 15 game win streak would be epic.. i want some of KAs special juice..
staying within 3 with garland and mitchell only putting up 12 combined speaks volumes.. those 2 step up big in the 2nd half it is lights out..
I’ve been surprised by dons lack of efficiency this year. Haven’t seen a night as bad as tonight, but he has had several slow starts, but the final line always looks fine. Wouldn’t be upset for him to just drive it every time down the floor to open the half. Don’t think there’s anyone who can stop him.
Shout out to Patrick, our man on the inside! Any other CtBers in there?
When the Cavs guards get past the first wave of d the middle is wide open. The thunder are playing a high risk/high reward defense, and if the guards remain patient, OKC will either have to stop gambling or concede Allen and Mobley scoring 60.
Except the handful of teams they got too deep and got swallowed by okc, ty did that at least once, don’t think he’ll do it again without a plan
Agreed. OKC is gambling that the Cavs won’t keep feeding the bigs and the times you note, they’ve forced a shot instead of feeding the bigs or the corner. Or just had the ball knocked away.
If there is one thing both of these coaching staffs excel at it’s between quarters and halftime adjustments. Gonna be fascinating to see who loses their mins (George’s plz on our side) and if the Cavs want to set double screens for purposeful three’s (not Kenny’s style at all) for strus
George wasn’t awful but this is not a good matchup for him.
Up 3. I will take it. Especially with Mitchell 1 of 8.
Still, Allen, Mobley (save for the 3PT shooting), Strus, Jerome, and Wade were all excellent. Thought DG was pretty darn good too. Noce to see Ice back & make a play on D.
If we get Spida going & up the 3PT percentage, we got this.
7-18 for SGA is good work on D.
Also, I pray Mobley playing BIGGER than he is is gonna be a continual theme until he actually grows into his body and weight room. Boy is playing strong as fwick.
Sooo long too. Most Kareem like player I’ve ever watched.
I’m gonna ignore Negative Nate-sy and say…
A. Were playing UP to the competition
B. Darius is making some serious forking passes
C. Strus is finding his spot so quickly and flawless
Esp C.
Strus being a willing ‘let it fly’ guy I felt changed our dynamic last year, paired with his willingness to distribute and hustle is invaluable.
*rolls eyes* it picked way up after I said it.
Just feel like your consistently negative about things. *shoulder shrugs emoji*
No. Just honest.
*shoulder shrug rolls eyes emoji*
Spida slam!
Thought that he wasn’t trying too hard to assert himself, but I see he has 8 attempts (and 7 misses). Need more high quality shots for him and DG.
Mitchell finally decides to not shoot and just take it to the hole!
Hope that sparks something for Mitchell
Allen’s been absolutely phenomenal
Four point miss, Mirchell
They can’t stop our bigs.
Allen has been incredible
Nice d.
Cavs Guard playing has been ass
*starting
Run the offense, Caris. Should’ve fed Allen
T Dort up.
Fouls starting to tell a story
Mr. Bean didn’t like that foul call.
That’s a big foul
Cavs had been great on the boards till that Joe rebound
Allen and Wade my top guys so far. Just doing everything on both sides of the ball. Strus with a nice game too.
Big warm hand for 2016 NBA Champion RJ
Love it
Missed it. You guys watching ESPN? I’m on the home feed.
It was a bit earlier than my post. I’m at the arena.
Allen’s been awesome since his crunch time benching
This game is so fun so far
Looking like that kind of night at the line.
Jerome aggressiveness is good.
Not a friendly whistle
Gotta make groceries and with Shai on the bench.
This is a weird autocorrect but I’m sticking with it.
Evan getting going in paint. 4 team fouls for OKC -> play in the paint
Ty “Nashing”it on that last possession.
Spide having a rough one so far.
Yeah. Should’ve found Okoro. But also they’re in the bonus. Kenny probably called timeout to yell at the refs.
Cavs in the bonus at 9:30! Time to make some hay
Big shot Strus.
Followed by nice hustle.
Too many turnovers in that first quarter, but also, Thunder are foul merchants
Not bad for a feel out quarter. Not thrilled with Mobley working on his three or that last shot by LaVert, but okay.
Ice ice baby!!
Well so far, Spida, DG & Levert are shooting below par. Cavs D is fine.
Cmon Georges. Rushing it.
A ridiculous foul call on Evan
OKC shooting is more composed so far. Lotta nerves, hope Cavs shake it out.
Esp Darius
Wade & Spida smooth to start!