When the top two teams in the NBA square off, it's expected to be a marquee event. Suffice it to say, Thursday's matchup between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Cleveland Cavaliers did not live up to the billing as OKC ran off to a 134-114 victory that wasn't nearly as close as even that lopsided score would indicate.

They brace for it, watch film of the potential fatalities. A fortunate few have escaped. But all endure pain, customary when you step onto the pale hardwood in Oklahoma City.  Slow, 48-minute death — just three quarters if the damage is done like it has been three times this past week — by 1,

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made a loud statement in an MVP-worthy season with another 40-point performance Thursday night. He was more excited about the one his Oklahoma City Thunder made with a nationally televised blowout of the Cleveland Cavaliers in a matchup of the NBA's best.