CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Cavaliers will get another opportunity against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night, and their biggest challenge will be the same one that cost them Monday's game: finding a way to slow down Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
The Thunder guard scored 43 points in Oklahoma City's 117-112 victory at Rocket Arena, including the decisive three-pointer with 32 seconds remaining. Gilgeous-Alexander made 14 of 35 shots from the field, connected on four three-pointers, and converted 11 of 12 free throws while adding eight assists.
Cleveland probably won't be able to completely shut down Gilgeous-Alexander to win Wednesday's rematch. However, allowing him to dictate the offense, get to his spots on the floor, and repeatedly create scoring chances can't happen again or the Cavs will be on the wrong side of things.
The Cavaliers also cannot become so focused on Gilgeous-Alexander that they allow the rest of Oklahoma City's offense to operate without resistance. Ajay Mitchell scored 20 points Monday, while Kenrich Williams contributed 12. Isaiah Hartenstein also presented problems on the glass, collecting 14 rebounds, including seven offensive boards.
Oklahoma City finished with 15 offensive rebounds, creating way too many extra possessions that Cleveland could ill afford to surrender. The Thunder secured an offensive rebound in the final minute that gave Gilgeous-Alexander another opportunity, and he responded with the three-pointer that broke a 112-112 tie.
There were also positives for the Cavaliers to build on. Cleveland outscored Oklahoma City 64-58 after halftime and made nine three-pointers in the third quarter alone. The offense generated enough opportunities to overcome a difficult second quarter, and the Cavaliers finished with 31 assists.
However, Wednesday's rematch cannot simply be another attempt to outscore Gilgeous-Alexander. Cleveland must be more effective defensively, particularly late in possessions when the Thunder look to their star to create something.
When the teams meet again Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET in Oklahoma City, Cleveland will have an opportunity to apply what it learned Monday night. If the Cavaliers can limit Gilgeous-Alexander's trips to the free-throw line, finish defensive possessions with rebounds, and prevent another late scoring surge, they'll put themselves in a much better position to leave Oklahoma City with a victory.
