Cleveland ends Oklahoma City’s 15-game winning streak as NBA’s top teams meet | N.B.A

Cleveland ends Oklahoma City’s 15-game winning streak as NBA’s top teams meet | N.B.A

Jarrett Allen collected 25 points and 12 rebounds to help the host Cleveland Cavaliers to a 129-122 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in a matchup of the NBA’s two best teams on Wednesday.

Evan Mobley contributed 21 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists for the Cavaliers, who have won 11 straight and improved to 11-0 against Western Conference opponents. Oklahoma City had a record-breaking 15-game winning streak going into this matchup.

Cleveland’s Darius Garland scored 18 points and Max Strus sank five 3-pointers to highlight his 17-point performance off the bench. Ty Jerome had 15 points and Donovan Mitchell finished with 11 despite making just three of 16 floor shots for the Cavaliers.

Oklahoma City superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 points and Jalen Williams added 25 and nine assists.

Isaiah Hartenstein had 18 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists and Cason Wallace scored 15 points for the Thunder, who hadn’t lost since Dec. 1 at the Houston Rockets. They are 11-1 against Eastern Conference opponents.

Cleveland held on to a 125-122 lead before successfully fending off a foul on Mitchell with 1:19 left in the fourth quarter. The officials felt that Mitchell did not make enough contact while attempting to grab a rebound to warrant a foul, allowing his team to retain possession.

Mobley made a running jumper in the lane and Garland added a finger roll layup with 27.1 seconds left to seal the win.

Jarrett Allen (left) celebrates with Donovan Mitchell after the Cavaliers’ win on Wednesday night. Photo: Jason Miller/Getty Images

Oklahoma City weathered the storm after Gilgeous-Alexander committed two quick fouls early in the third quarter, giving him four fouls for the game. The Thunder held their ground and even managed a 100-100 tie with Aaron Wiggins’ top shot 47 seconds before the end of the quarter.

Kenrich Williams’ jumper gave Oklahoma City a 34-25 lead early in the second quarter before Cleveland responded with an 8-0 run. The Thunder maintained the lead throughout the second before Allen converted an alley-oop.

Mitchell scored his first field goal with an emphatic dunk to give the Cavaliers a 62-59 lead at the break.

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