The best two teams from each conference will face each other Wednesday night between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Oklahoma City Thunder. The Cavs (31-4) have been a pleasant surprise this season, dominating their opponent with exceptional shooting, ball movement, and elite defense. Cleveland is 10-0 versus the Western Conference, averaging 129.7 points per game, shooting 52 percent from the field, 43 percent from three and 77 percent from the free-throw line.
The Thunder (30-5) also have been dominating the league led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who’s averaging 31.3 points per game. Gilgeous-Alexander has been exceptional in being a three-level scorer using his craftiness in isolation to get in the paint and score anytime he wants. While scoring at a high rate, he’s been an elite defender. He is not alone as Jaylen Williams has emerged this season averaging 20 points per game. Defensively, the Thunder are one of the best teams imposing their will physically from Williams, Lou Dort, Cason Wallace and Ajay Mitchell.
Their other star, Chet Holmgren, will be out for possibly both matchups against Cleveland as he has a hip injury, which is unfortunate because I would love to see him against Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. With Holmgren out, Isaiah Hartenstein has been a great addition, bringing size and physicality to the frontcourt who Cleveland is familiar with from his short stint with them and most recently, with the Knicks. Lastly, the Thunder are 10-0 versus the eastern conference averaging 113.3 points per game shooting 46 percent from the field, 35 percent from three and 80 percent from the free-throw line. The Thunder could also be without Alex Caruso, who is another elite defensive guard on the perimeter, who’s battling a hip injury. He’s listed as a game-time decision.
Let’s make a team-by-team comparison between both teams (rankings in parenthesis).
Cavaliers Thunder
Record: 31-4 30-5
Win Streak: W10 W15
Record (non-conference): 10-0 10-0
Point Differential: 11.8 (2nd) 12.1 (1st)
Blocks Per Game: 4.7 (21st) 5.9 (5th)
Rebound Per Game: 43.8 (16th) 43.7 (17th)
Pace: 100.38 (6th) 99.68 (9th)
Offensive Efficiency: 120.0 (1st) 112.6 (T-8th)
Defensive Efficiency: 107.3 (T-6th) 101.0 (1st)*
*The Thunder have SIX players in the top 10 in defensive efficiency: Ajay Mitchell (1st), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2nd), Isaiah Joe (3rd), Aaron Wiggins (6th), Jalen Williams (7th), and Cason Wallace (9th).
Key Matchups
- Donovan Mitchell vs. Jaylen Williams & Lou Dort – Mitchell is the Cavs leading scorer, however, he will see multiple defenders. Jaylen Williams and Lou Dort are physical guards who will pressure Mitchell, making it difficult for him to get efficient shots.
- Darius Garland vs. Cason Wallace – Garland has struggled against physical guards in the past and Wallace is another one of them. Wallace ranks 9th in defensive efficiency and 17th in defensive win shares. This may be the deciding factor in the game.
- Jarrett Allen vs. Isaiah Hartenstein – Allen will have his hands full with Hartenstein who has been a great addition to the Thunder. This matchup will be important with rim protection and securing the boards as both teams are neck and neck in total rebounds per game.
This could be the NBA Finals preview matchup. Whoever comes out with a win could set themselves up to be the favorites as NBA champions.
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