Cavaliers weather the storm with comeback win over the Thunder

Cleveland Cavaliers complete second-half comeback

The Cleveland Cavaliers close out the road trip with consecutive wins after coming back to defeat the Oklahoma City Thunder, 107-102. Despite trailing for three quarters, the Cavs closed out with another win to go 5-1 in the otherwise grueling West Coast rodeo.

Finding themselves in Oklahoma’s rearview mirror for nearly the entirety of the first three quarters, and down by as much as 18 points, Cleveland finally went ahead in the final period by outscoring the hosts by 15 in the second half to complete the comeback.

Cavs big man Lauri Markkanen hit the game-clinching triple with 10.4 seconds left to give Cleveland a four-point cushion that sealed the victory. However, it was Darius Garland who once again starred for the Cavaliers and sparked the huge comeback.

The 21-year-old rising star led all scorers with 27 points to go with a career-best 18 assists and continues to build towards his resume for a potential first NBA All-Star appearance.

Cleveland’s other aspiring All-Stars in the Tower City duo also came to play against Oklahoma. Rookie Evan Mobley scored 20 points and blocked two shots, while his frontcourt partner Jarrett Allen came out with another double-double of 13 and 13.

On the other side, the Thunder’s Shai Gigeous-Alexander had 21 points while their own stellar rookie in Josh Giddey finished with a double-double of 11 markers and 10 boards, but the usually prolific Australian playmaker was limited to only three assists against six turnovers in the loss.

Cavs set to face more contenders in the upcoming days

Things weren’t looking particularly bright for the Cavaliers prior to setting off for the tough six-game road trip out west, but the young team has once again disproven pundits to win five of six contests.

Their lone defeat came in the hands of long-time rivals Golden State Warriors, but the Cavs would tell you themselves that they weren’t able to play up to usual standards. A lost opportunity to show national viewers that this team is for real.

Unsurprisingly, Cleveland made up for the blip on the radar to win the next four and improved to 26-18, only half a game behind the defending champions and current fourth placers Milwaukee Bucks in an increasingly competitive Eastern Conference.

The Cleveland Cavaliers face more acid tests as they return to host the powerhouse Brooklyn Nets at the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on January 17, before going back on the road to face the East-leading Chicago Bulls on the 19th.