Injuries are hitting the Oklahoma City Thunder hard, but they’re gearing up to face James Harden and the surging Cleveland Cavaliers. With key players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Ajay Mitchell, and Alex Caruso sidelined, the Thunder will need to lean on their strengths as they host the Cavs at noon Central on ABC. Let’s dive into the three pivotal matchups that could shape this contest.
Jarrett Allen’s Scoring
Cleveland made a bold move at the trade deadline, swapping Darius Garland for the seasoned James Harden. Despite being a decade older, Harden’s experience and skill make him a valuable asset, especially as the Cavs eye a championship run with Donovan Mitchell's contract situation looming.
Since Harden joined, Cleveland has been on fire, winning five straight and posting 125.1 points per 100 possessions. It's a promising start, but the real test will come in the playoffs.
Harden and Jarrett Allen have quickly developed impressive chemistry. In their 93 minutes together on the court, Allen has been a force, scoring 27.3 points per 75 possessions with an astounding 82% true shooting.
However, Allen will face a formidable challenge against the Thunder, who boast the league's stingiest paint defense, holding opponents to just 51.1% shooting inside. Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein will be crucial in containing Allen and disrupting Cleveland’s pick-and-roll game.
Luguentz Dort’s Defense
Donovan Mitchell has struggled mightily against the Thunder, averaging just 14.5 points per game on 26.4% shooting in their last four meetings. The credit largely goes to Luguentz Dort, whose defensive prowess has been a thorn in Mitchell's side. Even Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson acknowledged Dort’s impact, calling him one of the league’s best defenders after the Thunder’s dominant 32-point win over Cleveland last month.
With Oklahoma City’s offense hampered by injuries, Dort’s defense will be more important than ever. Shutting down Mitchell could be key to keeping the Thunder in the game against a tough Cleveland defense.
Thunder’s 3-Point Shooting
Scoring in the paint will be tough against the formidable duo of Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley, especially without OKC’s primary ball handlers. This means the Thunder’s success might hinge on their ability to hit from deep.
Isaiah Joe, Jared McCain, and Aaron Wiggins have been hot from beyond the arc, shooting a combined 45.7% this month. Their ability to maintain this momentum and connect on triples could be a game-changer.
As game day approaches, the Thunder will need every bit of resilience and sharpshooting to overcome a revitalized Cavaliers squad. It’s shaping up to be an intriguing battle, with both teams looking to make a statement.