CLEVELAND (Interstat) — The Oklahoma City Thunder used a 45-point fourth quarter to pull away from the Cleveland Cavaliers for a 136-104 victory Monday afternoon at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Oklahoma City led 91-79 after three quarters before its explosive finish sealed the win before a crowd of 19,432. Chet Holmgren led the Thunder with 28 points and eight rebounds. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 30 points. Donovan Mitchell scored 19 points for Cleveland. The Thunder improved to 36-8, while the Cavaliers fell to 24-20.

CLEVELAND (Interstat) — The Oklahoma City Thunder arrived at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Monday afternoon with the best record in the NBA and a point to prove after a narrow weekend loss. They left no doubt about their championship credentials, delivering a breathtaking and systematic 136-104 demolition of the Cleveland Cavaliers in a game that transformed from a first-half duel into a second-half showcase of their overwhelming firepower. A crowd of 19,432 watched as the Thunder, now 36-8, used a dominant 45-point fourth quarter to turn a competitive contest into a rout, handing the Cavaliers (24-20) one of their most lopsided defeats of the season. The 32-point margin of victory underscored a performance where Oklahoma City’s offensive execution and defensive intensity peaked simultaneously after halftime. The most important stretch of the game began late in the third quarter and exploded in the fourth. Leading 79-79 entering the final period, the Thunder unleashed a staggering 30-5 run over the first six and a half minutes. The catalyst was Chet Holmgren, the 7-foot-1 center from Minneapolis who turned in a masterful performance. Holmgren scored 28 points, grabbed eight rebounds and blocked two shots, but his impact was most profound from beyond the arc. He drained a career-high six three-pointers, many during the decisive run, stretching the Cavaliers’ defense to its breaking point. Holmgren’s outside shooting, a remarkable weapon for a player of his size, created impossible choices for Cleveland’s interior anchors, Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley. When they closed out, driving lanes opened for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who added 30 points on efficient shooting. When they stayed home, Holmgren continued to fire. The Thunder’s offensive balance was devastating. Five players scored in double figures, including 18 from Luguentz Dort and 16 from Isaiah Joe, whose shooting off the bench provided critical spacing. Aaron Wiggins contributed 12 points, six rebounds and three assists, his defensive activity fueling the transition game. Cleveland, which had won four of its last five, was led by Donovan Mitchell’s 19 points. Allen fought hard for 16 points and nine rebounds, while Mobley and Jaylon Tyson each added 16 points. De’Andre Hunter also scored 16. But the Cavaliers’ offense, which had been averaging over 120 points per game in recent weeks, was stifled by Oklahoma City’s length and switching schemes, committing 18 turnovers that led to 29 Thunder points. The game was tight for the first half, with Oklahoma City taking a 66-51 lead into the break behind 32 first-quarter points. The Cavaliers battled back in the third, closing the gap to a single point on multiple occasions, but could never seize the lead. The Thunder’s response to that push was immediate and unequivocal, snuffing out any home-court momentum with a relentless barrage of three-pointers and defensive stops. Oklahoma City shot a blistering percentage from the floor, from three-point range, and from the free-throw line, though specific percentages were not immediately available. The Thunder’s ball movement was exemplary, generating open looks against one of the league’s better defensive teams. The victory extended Oklahoma City’s remarkable run, having now won 11 of their last 13 games. Their only two losses in that span were by a combined five points. For Holmgren, it continued an All-Star caliber season, coming off a 30-point, 14-rebound, 11-assist triple-double in the loss to Miami. Cleveland, meanwhile, sees a promising stretch halted emphatically. They had just come off a successful road trip, including two wins in Philadelphia, but were thoroughly outclassed by the Western Conference leaders. The Thunder now head to Milwaukee for a marquee matchup on Wednesday. The Cavaliers will look to regroup on the road in Charlotte the same night. Based on their performance in Cleveland, Oklahoma City continues to solidify its status as the team to beat, demonstrating a potent combination of star power, depth, and strategic execution that overwhelmed a quality opponent on its home floor.

OKLAHOMA CITY AT CLEVELAND PREVIEW CLEVELAND (Interstat) — The NBA’s top team visits Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Monday afternoon as the Oklahoma City Thunder, boasting a league-best 35-7 record, face the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Thunder arrive on a three-game winning streak, most recently dispatching the Houston Rockets 111-91 on Thursday. Oklahoma City has dominated, winning 12 of its last 14 games. Center Chet Holmgren has been a consistent force, averaging 17.2 points, 9.5 rebounds and 3.4 blocks over his last 10 contests. His rim protection anchors the league’s second-ranked defense. The Cavaliers (24-19) have won three of their last four, including a dramatic 117-115 road victory over Philadelphia on Friday. Rookie guard Jaylon Tyson erupted for a career-high 39 points in that win, highlighting a recent surge. Over his last five games, Tyson is averaging 21.8 points, including two 30-point performances. While the Thunder showcase balance with Holmgren, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (20 points vs. Houston) and Ajay Mitchell (17 points), the Cavaliers counter with Tyson’s explosive scoring alongside All-Star Donovan Mitchell, who recorded a triple-double Friday with 13 points, 12 assists and nine rebounds. Oklahoma City won both meetings last season by an average of 15 points. The Thunder’s efficiency on both ends presents a significant challenge for a Cavaliers team seeking consistency and a statement victory against elite competition. Cleveland will need another high-output afternoon from its backcourt and a strong defensive effort from Evan Mobley against Holmgren to counter Oklahoma City’s both. The Thunder continue a four-game road trip, while the Cavaliers open a brief two-game homestand before heading back on the road. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST.