Cleveland allowed Oklahoma City 50 points in the paint in Monday’s 117-112 loss. The Cavaliers scored 30 inside.
Isaiah Hartenstein grabbed 7 offensive rebounds, and reserve center Aday Mara added 3. Oklahoma City finished with 15 offensive boards to Cleveland’s 11. Hartenstein’s work against this frontcourt is the reason to take Thunder -3 in the home rematch.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 43 points and 8 assists, with Ajay Mitchell adding 20 points. Both guards and Hartenstein are projected to start again.
Jared McCain’s offensive rebound set up Hartenstein’s go-ahead basket with 1:51 left Monday. Gilgeous-Alexander later hit the go-ahead three, and Mitchell’s final 2 free throws extended a 3-point lead to 5.