NBA Preview from The Sports Network
Sunday, November 11th
(All times eastern)
Cleveland Cavaliers (2-4) at Oklahoma City Thunder (4-2), 7 p.m.
(Sports Network) - The Oklahoma City Thunder will be in search of their fourth
straight win Sunday versus the Cleveland Cavaliers at Chesapeake Energy Arena.
After losing two of three to start the new season, the Thunder have ripped off
wins over Toronto, Chicago and Detroit. In Friday's 105-94 victory versus the
Pistons, Serge Ibaka set a new career high in points with 25 and pulled down
seven rebounds.
"It feels good," Ibaka said of his performance. "First of all I've got to
thank my teammates. They did a great job of finding me and they knew I was hot
which gave me confidence. They did a great job passing me the ball."
Kevin Durant recorded a double-double with 25 points and 13 boards for
Oklahoma City, which made 53.5 percent of its shots. Durant has four double-
doubles in six games this season. Kevin Martin had 16 points and Russell
Westbrook notched 10 and six assists.
Durant, Martin and Westbrook scored in double figures for the sixth time in
six games this season.
Oklahoma City held its opponent under 42 percent shooting for the fourth time
this season and for the third straight game.
Cleveland will resume its six-game road trip Sunday and is 1-3 so far on the
current sojourn.
The Cavaliers fell to 2-4 on the season following Friday's 107-105 loss at
Phoenix, as rookie Dion Waiters paced the team with 23 points and Kyrie Irving
added 17 and eight assists. Daniel Gibson scored a season-best 19 points off
the bench.
"The story doesn't change, it's on the defensive end; 12 good minutes. It's as
simple as that," Cavs coach Byron Scott said. "Obviously we have to get more
out of our bench then what we're getting these first six games."
Cleveland had a 37-16 advantage after the opening quarter. Even though Irving
posted 17 points against the Suns, he has tallied 20 or more points in four of
the Cavs' six games. Cleveland will close the trek Tuesday at Brooklyn.
Anderson Varejao had 14 points and 10 rebounds in the recent loss and is one
steal shy of 400 in his career. He has recorded three straight double-doubles.
The Cavs won the only showdown with Oklahoma City last season and have
prevailed in six of the last nine meetings between the teams.
11/11 10:36:07 ET

|