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Thunder storm the Cavs in lopsided NBA marquee matchup

Cliff BruntAP
Oklahoma's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has banked 40 points in the Thunder's NBA win over the Cavs. (AP PHOTO)
Camera IconOklahoma's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has banked 40 points in the Thunder's NBA win over the Cavs. (AP PHOTO) Credit: AAP

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has scored 40 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder rolled past the Cleveland Cavaliers 134-114 in a matchup of teams with the best records in the NBA.

The Western Conference-leading Thunder and the East-leading Cavaliers now have matching 34-6 records.

The Cavaliers won the first meeting 129-122 on January 8.

In the rematch, the Thunder handed the Cavaliers their worst loss of the season.

Lu Dort scored a season-high 22 points and Jalen Williams added 19 for Oklahoma City, who won their fourth straight game.

Darius Garland had 20 points and nine assists for Cleveland, and Jarrett Allen added 13 points.

The Game Cricket 2024-25

The game was a marquee matchup but it turned into a blowout early.

The Thunder reeled off a 22-2 run over the final six minutes of the first quarter, then extended the run to 30-2 in the second to end much of the drama early.

The Cavs came in as the No. 1 offensive team in the league, while Oklahoma City ranked atop the NBA in defensive rating.

The Thunder lived up to the ranking early, while Cleveland did not.

The loss was just the second in 15 games for Cleveland.

The Thunder have won 14 of their last 15.

Oklahoma City's only loss during that span was the earlier game in Cleveland.

In Washington, Devin Booker scored 37 points and Kevin Durant 23, to lead the visiting Phoenix Suns to a 130-123 victory over the Wizards.

Booker scored at least 30 points for the fourth straight game after sinking four 3-pointers and 13 of 15 free throws.

Grayson Allen scored 21 points off the bench and rookie Ryan Dunn collected career highs in points (18) and rebounds (11) for the Suns, who posted their fourth win in five games.

The visiting Indiana Pacers also took the win over the Pistons in Detroit 111-100.

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