Key takeaways from the Cavaliers vs. Thunder rematch:

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 40 points, solidifying his MVP credentials.
• The Thunder outclassed the Cavaliers with a dominant performance, maintaining a 60% shooting rate.
• Cleveland's defense faltered as they recorded 21 turnovers, while Oklahoma City had only 6.
• This victory extends OKC’s home winning streak to 10 games and hands Cleveland their first loss against a West team this season.

In a highly anticipated rematch between the top two teams in the NBA, the Oklahoma City Thunder exhibited their superiority over the Cleveland Cavaliers, decisively winning 134-114. The Thunder's star player, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, scored a game-high 40 points and dished out eight assists, furthering his MVP case this season. This victory not only marked a significant rebound from their previous encounter, in which the Cavaliers secured a 129-122 win, but it also showcased the Thunder's dominance as they improve to an impressive record of 34-6, matching the Cavaliers.

From the outset, the Thunder established control of the game, concluding the first quarter with a staggering 22-2 run, propelling them to a 32-14 lead. Gilgeous-Alexander was pivotal during this stretch, contributing 15 points early on. Oklahoma City's first-half performance was equally strong, with a staggering 75 points scored in the first two quarters as they led 75-49 at halftime. The team replicated this success in the third quarter with 44 points, climaxing at a 119-81 lead by the end of the period.

In addition to Gilgeous-Alexander, both Lu Dort and Jalen Williams made substantial contributions, scoring 22 and 19 points, respectively. For the Cavaliers, Darius Garland was the leading scorer with 20 points, along with nine assists, while Donovan Mitchell struggled significantly against Oklahoma City’s defense, managing only eight points on 3-for-15 shooting.

The game highlighted the difficulties the Cavaliers faced despite being known for their defensive prowess. Particularly alarming was their turnover count, which reached 21 compared to the Thunder’s meager six. Without their star center Isaiah Hartenstein, the Thunder managed to maintain their performance and outperform Cleveland on the boards.

This victory not only bolsters the Thunder's standings in the Western Conference but enhances their confidence as they look ahead. Following this remarkable win, the Thunder will travel to Dallas, while the Cavaliers aim to bounce back against Minnesota as they seek to maintain their standing in the Eastern Conference.

For further details on the game, visit the original articles from USA TODAY and AP News.