Cleveland Cavaliers, favorite to win the ring on their own merits

The Cleveland Cavaliers achieved their eleventh consecutive victory by defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder 129-122 in a historic game due to the number of wins and the form of both teams. OKC earned the favoritism by defeating the Knicks and the Celtics, and now the Cavs do the same.

After the triumph, Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson shared the message he received from his players upon entering the locker room: "The players said, 'We didn't win this game last year'."

Despite a regrettable night for Donovan Mitchell, who had a 3-16 shooting performance, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen stood out with absolute dominance in the paint, combining for 46 points and 22 rebounds. They moved defenders to secure offensive rebounds and scored easily with dunks. Additionally, Darius Garland, after overcoming a jaw fracture-affected last season, contributed 18 points, 7 assists, and the game-winning basket in the final seconds.

This result allowed Cleveland to halt Oklahoma City's 15-game winning streak and improve its record to 32-4, positioning themselves to match the Golden State Warriors' 73 wins in the 2015-16 regular season. Mitchell stressed the importance of the victory: "This speaks to our growth. I told everyone after the game that, as a unit, we didn't win this game last year. Every player who stepped in contributed something positive, whether scoring, rebounding, or defending. It's a team victory, and that's what we'll need to become the team we aspire to be."

The anticipation for the duel between two teams with over 30 wins and on track to reach 70 created a playoff-like atmosphere for the game. Both teams had two full days to prepare, raising the level of the match. "It's incredible," Atkinson commented before the game. "It's like being in the NCAA tournament. There's a special excitement in the air."

The game lived up to expectations, offering a spectacle full of action with 30 lead changes, eight ties, and dynamic play from both sides. Highlights included the combined 32 points off the bench from Max Strus and Ty Jerome, as well as Mobley's outstanding performance, registering 21 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, a steal, and a block in 35 minutes. Mobley was crucial on both ends of the court, and in one of the key plays, he sealed the game with a powerful drive over Isaiah Hartenstein.

Jarrett Allen praised his teammate: "They're finally discovering who Evan Mobley is, but they still have a lot to learn. He did everything for us. Defensively, he got stops, and on offense, we just gave him the ball to finish, and he did."

On the Thunder's side, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, an MVP favorite, scored 31 points but needed 27 shots to do so, while Jalen Williams had a solid performance with 25 points and 9 assists. Despite the loss, the team showed signs of growth, although the absence of players like Chet Holmgren and Alex Caruso, due to injury, was evident.

Mitchell emphasized the Cavaliers' confidence level: "It's clear that we belong here. We're not waiting for national recognition. We know it, but we have to prove it. We're 31-4, and people still don't believe it. We won today, and they still don't believe it. But we'll keep being ourselves."

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