In the NBA, to claim the throne, you've got to go through the giants. Every team is gunning for the top spot, and the Oklahoma City Thunder have set the bar high.
Falling to 0-2 in the season series against them might seem alarming, especially when the Thunder were missing key players like MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. But hold on-there's no need to hit the panic button just yet.
The NBA is full of surprises, particularly when teams have to juggle their lineups.
Cavaliers' Resilience Shines Despite Setback
The Cavaliers, despite a rocky start, showed grit. Even when the Thunder had a hefty 23-point lead, the Cavs clawed back, outscoring the champs by 15 points thanks to some savvy moves by Kenny Atkinson.
Opting for Sam Merrill over Dean Wade in the second half was a stroke of genius. Merrill sparked the Cavs' three-point game, proving that sometimes, offense can be the best defense.
Keon Ellis continues to be a defensive powerhouse. His active hands in the passing lanes and his ability to guard players like Chet Holmgren make him a playoff asset. The Thunder may have rattled James Harden and Donovan Mitchell, with Lu Dort's linebacker-like defense and Cason Wallace's relentless screen navigation, but these are lessons the Cavs can learn from as they eye the playoffs.
Jarrett Allen's missing aggressiveness and Evan Mobley's mere two rebounds were less than ideal. The big men need to get involved early, but not every team will have players like Isaiah Hartenstein or get the favorable calls the Thunder did. This might just be a one-off.
Atkinson has a deep bench to work with, and the flexibility to adapt lineups with players like Merrill, Wade, Ellis, and soon Max Strus, based on matchups. This adaptability will be crucial as the season progresses.
Remember, this was the Cavs' third game in four nights-a classic schedule challenge. There's a lot of basketball left, and this team is poised to keep climbing.