Cavs’ Kenny Atkinson says Thunder clash ‘more than just another game’

A playoff-like aura permeates the Paicom Center for Thursday night’s rematch in between Cleveland Cavaliers (34-5) i Oklahoma City Thunder (33-6). Both sides tried to keep perspective during last Wednesday’s clash, but after taking part in a tough contest that should reignite some fans’ love for the NBA, it the added significance is hard to deny around this regular season game. Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson knows better at this point.

“Last game we said it was just another game, {but} thinking about it more, no, it’s more than just another game,” he told the media before Cleveland took on OKC for the second time this year -om. “It’s the best of the East versus the best of the West, and it’s just elevated in every sense.” Our guys feel it, I feel it. We tried to play it like it was {just another matchup} in the first game, and we kind of said ‘no, that’s wrong.’ So let’s call it what it is. Even though it’s game 40, I know I feel that the preparation has to be better, we have to be better, the shooting has to be better.

It’s refreshing to hear a coach express genuine excitement and seriousness about a specific regular season showdown. While it’s obviously important for teams to not get ahead of themselves and bask in their success, it’s foolish to ignore the added buzz surrounding Cavs-Thunder. During a time when people are focusing on declining ratings and bemoaning the current form of the NBA product, these two franchises delivered an epic matchup befitting their records.

The Cavs and Thunder matched up incredibly well on January 8th

Cleveland successfully defended its home court, beating Oklahoma City, 129-122. The Cavaliers overcame a poor shooting night from Donovan Mitchell, as Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley had double-doubles of 20 points each, and Ty Jerome and Max Struss came off the bench. Kenny Atkinson made the most of a 10-man rotation, picking up another signature win in his first campaign as Cavs HC.

With both teams combining for 67 3-point field goal attempts, fans witnessed a balanced style of play that featured clutch shooting, infectious energy and great ball movement (71 total assists). Cavs-Thunder would never get the attention it deserves in a possible NBA Finals matchup, but they have the ability to create absolute magic together.

Unfortunately, that was not the case in the first half of Thursday’s game. Despite the absence of Isaiah Hartenstein, OKC is running Cleveland. Atkinson’s group had conceded 22 points off 13 turnovers at press time.

They say a sequel is never as good as the original, and Thunder is determined to further prove that claim.