CLEVELAND — Random dribbles from halftime of the Cavaliers’ home game vs. the Thunder on Monday. Thunder lead, 59-48.
1. As we’ve mentioned too many times already this season (and most of last), second-chance points are hurting the Cavs. Especially when it comes to long rebounds. The Thunder have six offensive boards. Almost every one has led to points.
2. Offensively, the Cavs are just fine. They’re keeping things moving and getting good looks. But that wasn’t nearly enough in the second quarter.
3. They’ve not been bad defensively, either. That said, defense doesn’t end when the other team attempts a shot. It ends when you get the rebound.
4. Regardless of who’s on the floor, the Thunder are exceptional at getting easy hoops via backdoor cuts and bounce passes. If you remember, the Cavs struggled with that against the Wizards last week. They’re struggling with it again.
5. Against Washington, Kenny Atkinson stressed at halftime that the Cavs needed to force the opposing offense to “go over the top” of the defense. The Cavs did just that and came back and won. The message is likely to be similar this time.
6. Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, Cason Wallace and Alex Caruso are all out for OKC. So these are barely the Thunder. But whatever. You can only beat who you play. We’ll see if the Cavs can do that over the next 24 minutes.
7. The Cavs led 30-26 after the first quarter, but again, the defense collpased in the second. Offensively, Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen lead the way with nine points apiece. James Harden and Meleek Thomas each scored seven. Evan Mobley has six and the Cavs again need to get him more involved.
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