Total points are eighty-four. Twenty-five assists on 33 field goals. Thirteen out of 16 players had more than 50% exit from the field. Ten three-pointers in 22 attempts. More offensive rebounds than turnovers.
The third quarter in Wednesday night’s nationally televised Clash of the Titans Between the Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder and the NBA-leading Cleveland Cavaliers they showcased a relentless offense. It was the first time two opposing teams scored 40 or more points in the same quarter all season — with the Thunder holding a slight lead, 43-41.
Isaiah Hartenstein scored six of his 18 points in the first 2 1/2 minutes after halftime, making two jumpers and a layup after an assist from Jalen Williams. This stretch included lead changes on five straight possessions, with each team converting two shots.
Darius Garland scored or assisted on Cleveland’s first 13 points of the third quarter, making a two-and-one and finding Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley for quality rim looks. Five minutes after the snap, the Cavaliers executed a smooth passing series against the Thunder’s zone defense — punctuated by Mobley throwing an alley-oop to his partner Allen in the frontcourt.
“I think defensively, with the way we played all season, we let them lose a lot of games. But that’s what they do to you,” Thunder coach. Marc Daigneault said after the game. “You have to be really good on the ball to make a stop or hit a powerful shot against them. Point of attack, initial assist, close shots, rebounding – you have to do all of that well against them.”
After a mid-quarter timeout, Isaiah Joe knocked down a left trey off a Hartenstein dribble to start a 14-3 Oklahoma City run. Jalen Williams intercepted a Max Struss rebound pass, took a layup off a Dean Wade dribble near the half-court line and made a coast-to-coast layup on a run, as the Thunder took a four-point lead with 15 minutes left. The game.
Cleveland’s No. 1 offense, which lived up to its reputation all night, responded with a barrage of shooting from outside. Caris LeVert hit two 3-pointers, Strus hit a layup on a short-handed Mobley layup, and Donovan Mitchell hit a hat-trick in front of the contesting Joe for his second field goal of the game — and his team’s 103rd point.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander holed a 12-footer with 21 seconds left for his fourth shot of the quarter in four attempts.
“We were exchanging baskets at that point in the game, and obviously that’s not who we are,” Daigneault said.
The Cavaliers showed great passing and shot making throughout their roster and showed authority in the front court to pull out a final 129-122 win. Allen grabbed three of his eight offensive rebounds in the third quarter, leading directly to two free throws.
“The 12 minutes of basketball, the way both teams worked, the way they played with such perfection, was as high a level as I have seen in a regular season in over 20 years of covering the NBA.” said ESPN reporter Brian Windhorst On Thursday morning Take first. “Watching the Thunder play with physicality and speed, watching the Cavaliers’ precise passing and player movement and ball movement… if you don’t like this game, if you watch this, you don’t like basketball.”
The Thunder will play the New York Knicks 25-13 tonight at 6:30 PM CST.
Want to join the discussion? He loves Thunder on SI On Facebook and Follow us on Twitter To stay up to date on the latest Thunder news. You can also meet the team behind the coverage.