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NBA

Cleveland Cavaliers and Oklahoma City Thunder With Historic First Halves

Justin Rimpi photo
By Justin Rimpi · 2 min read
Cleveland Cavaliers
Apr 20, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) dribbles the ball in the second quarter against the Orlando Magic during game one of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images / David Richard-Imagn Images

The Cleveland Cavaliers and Oklahoma City Thunder are putting together one of the best collective first halves in NBA history. The Cavaliers and Thunder will enter the All-Star Break with a winning percentage of at least .800. The only other NBA season where each conference had such a team entering the break was 2008-09 with the Lakers and Celtics.

The Lakers finished that season 65-17 and won the NBA Title. The Celtics finished 62-20 and lost in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Cleveland is 44-10 and the Oklahoma City Thunder are 44-9. These teams split the season series. Cleveland won the first meeting by seven and the Thunder were victorious in the second meeting by 20. It is Cleveland’s biggest loss of the year. Will the Cavaliers and Thunder be able to continue their success in the second half of the year?

Cleveland Cavaliers Season Summary

https://twitter.com/OptaSTATS/status/1890116837641523361

Cleveland has been led by a tremendous offense. They are second in points per game, second in field goal percentage, and leading the league in three-point percentage. Their defense has also been stellar. They are 11th in points per game, sixth in field goal percentage, and one of the best teams in the league at turning over their opponent. The Cavaliers are led on offense by Shooting Guard Donovan Mitchell. He is 18th in the league in scoring. Center Jarrett Allen is 11th in the league in rebounds and has the second-best field goal percentage.

Thunder Season Summary

Oklahoma City has also been paced by a strong offense. They are fifth in points per game, ninth in field goal percentage, and 16th in three-point percentage. Defense has been the calling card of the Oklahoma City Thunder this year. They are atop the league in points allowed, opposing field goal percentage, opposing three-point percentage, and forced the most turnovers by the opposition. Point Guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been the engine of the team. He is leading the league in points per game and is a sizable favorite to win the NBA MVP.

Final Thoughts

The Oklahoma City Thunder close out the first half of the regular season tonight on the road against the Minnesota Timberwolves. OKC is looking to head into the All-Star break with eight consecutive victories. Cleveland’s first half of the regular season is in the books. They return to the court on February 20 on the road against the Brooklyn Nets. Following spectacular first halves of the regular season, the Thunder and Cavaliers will look to continue making history in the season’s second half.

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