Pro Sports

Garland has 27 points, 18 assists to help Cavs beat Thunder

Posted January 15, 2022 6:00 am

By JOE ERWIN-BUETTNER

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) drives against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort in the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings) The Associated Press

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Darius Garland had 27 points and a career-high 18 assists and the Cleveland Cavaliers overcame an 18-point deficit to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 106-102 on Saturday night for their fourth straight victory.

Lauri Markkanen made a 3-pointer with 11.4 seconds remaining to secure the victory, Cleveland's fifth on a six-game, nine-day trip.

Garland tied Phoenix's Chris Paul for the most assists in a game this season. Evan Mobley added 20 points, and Jarrett Allen had 13 points and 13 rebounds.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 27 points. They have lost six of seven.

Oklahoma City controlled the first half, shooting 49% from the floor to Cleveland's 38%, in its first game since scoring a season-best 130 points in a victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday night.

The Thunder built a 56-46 by halftime, extending that advantage to 74-56 through the first four minutes of the second half.

The Cavaliers chipped away at the margin, closing within single digits by the end of the period and taking their first lead with 11:07 remaining in the fourth.

TIP-INS

Cavaliers: Rajon Rondo (hamstring sore), Ricky Rubio (knee) and Collin Sexton (knee) were unavailable for Cleveland. '¦ Kevin Love made three 3-pointers. He was just one of two Cavaliers to make multiple shots from beyond the arc.

Thunder: Kenrich Williams (health and safety protocol) remained out for Oklahoma City, while Isaiah Roby (health and safety protocols) returned to the lineup. '¦ Jeremiah Robinson-Earl posted a team-high 11 rebounds, just three short of the rookie's career single-game best.

UP NEXT

Cavaliers: Host Brooklyn on Monday.

Thunder: At Dallas on Monday.

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) shoots against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Lamar Stevens (8) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings) The Associated Press

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Cedi Osman, right, shoots over Oklahoma City Thunder forward Mamadi Diakite, left, in the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings) The Associated Press

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley, front right, shoots over Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (50) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings) The Associated Press

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) looks to shoot near Oklahoma City Thunder forward Darius Bazley (7) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings) The Associated Press

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (4) dunks over Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (50) in the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings) The Associated Press

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