Both teams entered this matchup on impressive winning streaks. The Cavs extended theirs to 11 games, handing the Thunder their first loss in 16 games. At this point, it’s fair to say the Cavs are firmly in the contender conversation. Let’s break down some key takeaways from last night’s game.

Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley were both dominant. Each recorded a double-double, with Allen posting 25 points and 11 rebounds (7 offensive boards), while Mobley added 21 points and 10 rebounds. The Thunder were notably short-handed upfront, missing Chet Holmgren, which likely contributed to the Cavs’ strong inside presence. The Cavs also got solid contributions from their bench.

Ty Jerome and Max Strus were both efficient, going 6-for-7 from the field—Strus hitting five of those six shots from beyond the arc. However, the Thunder were also missing a key bench player, Alex Caruso, which is a notable absence. It would’ve been interesting to see how the game would’ve played out with both teams at full strength.

Now, I’m not trying to rain on the Cavs’ potential playoff run, but I’m in a “I’ll believe it when I see it” camp. Last night’s game was close—just a two-possession difference for most of the night—and that’s with the Thunder missing two key players. As much as I respect the Cavs, I still have them ranked 3rd in the East behind the Celtics (1st) and Knicks (2nd). And just a side note: a fully healthy Magic team would leapfrog the Cavs into that third spot in the East.