A battle of powerhouse teams will go down at the Chesapeake Energy Arena when the Oklahoma City Thunder continue a three-game home stand today, Sunday, versus the East's best, the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Oklahoma City is looking to return on the winning track after falling short to the Indiana Pacers last Friday, 101–98.
Former Most Valuable Player (MVP) forward Kevin Durant and 2016 All-Star Game MVP point guard Russell Westbrook emerged in the defeat to Indiana.
Durant recorded 31 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and one block in 38 minutes of action, while Westbrook filled the stat sheet with 23 points, three rebounds, 18 assists, two steals, and one block.
Big men Enes Kanter and Serge Ibaka also played efficiently against the Pacers, listing their own double-doubles.
Kanter had 13 points with 10 rebounds off the bench, while Ibaka listed 12 points and 11 rebounds.
The loss gave the Thunder a 40–15 record, still enough to place them third in the Western Conference standings behind the Golden State Warriors (49–5) and San Antonio Spurs (46–9).
Meanwhile, the Cavs have great momentum heading to the game versus Oklahoma City as they are hoping to extend their winning streak to five games.
Cleveland built the streak after beating the New Orleans Pelicans, Sacramento Kings, and Los Angeles Lakers; and avenging their regular season opener loss to the Chicago Bulls.
In their 106–95 home victory over Chicago last Thursday, star forward LeBron James led Cleveland with 25 points, nine rebounds, nine assists, and one block.
Point guard Kyrie Irving also produced well on offense, scoring 19 points, four assists, and two steals.
Former All-Star forward Kevin Love and starting center Tristan Thompson also had a huge impact in the win.
Thompson finished the game with 16 points, also collecting 10 boards. Meanwhile Love had 15 points and 15 boards.
The Cavaliers improved to 39–14 to lead the Eastern Conference, four games ahead of the second-placed Toronto Raptors (35–18).
The game between the Thunder and Cavaliers happens today, Feb. 21, at 3:30 p.m. EST. To watch via live stream, click here.
