When the Cavaliers embarked on their brief two game road trip earlier this week things had not been going well. They had lost six straight games and needless to say looked bad doing it. The immediate future was not looking bright as the Cavaliers road trip included Western Conference powers the Denver Nuggets and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Wednesday night they beat the Nuggets in Denver 100-99. Then on Friday night the Cavaliers did what most observers thought was impossible and went into Oklahoma City and stunned Kevin Durant and the Thunder 96-90.
The game was close throughout as the Cavaliers played one of their best defensive games of the season. The Cavaliers forced 17 Oklahoma City turnovers and turned them into 18 points.
The Thunder led the Cavaliers by one point 27-26 at the end of the first period and it remained close at the half as Oklahoma City led 51-49.
The Cavaliers did what they have done so many times this season, outplayed their opponent in the second half. In the third quarter the Cavaliers held the Thunder to just 18 points. The Cavaliers scored only 20 in the third, but it was enough for the game to be tied 69-69 when the period ended.
In the fourth quarter the Cavaliers resident super hero, "Mr. Fourth Quarter" also known as Kyrie Irving showed up and stole the show from Thunder superstar Kevin Durant. Irving only had five points in the fourth quarter and nine total for the game, but he did all of the things that were needed for a superstar to lead his team to the win.
Ryan Hollins had a rare good offensive night as he reached double figures with 11 points.
Antawn Jamison led the Cavaliers in scoring once again with 21 points. Durant led all scorers in the losing effort with 23 points for the Thunder.
Not only did the Cavaliers force the Thunder to turn the ball over consistently all night but they also outrebounded the Thunder 51-40.
