Cavaliers prove themselves with complete team win over West-leading Thunder 

In a game that was being billed as a potential NBA Finals matchup, the Cleveland Cavaliers made a huge statement with a win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Eastern Conference-leading Cavaliers defeated the West's best 129-122 on Wednesday night. 

Cleveland winning that game the way it won sends a loud message to anyone still doubting they are a true title contender. 

Even when opening the season riding a 15-game win streak, some questioned how long the Cavaliers could stay at that level. But there's no way to doubt them now. 

Unlike when LeBron James and Kyrie Irving delivered the franchise its only NBA title in 2016, this Cavaliers team isn't full of superstars — Donovan Mitchell would be the only one who qualifies. However, the victory against the Thunder now gives Cleveland an NBA-best 32-4 record. 

With Mitchell connecting on only 3-of-16 shots and only scoring 11 points in 35 minutes, his lowest total in a game since Nov. 20, his teammates picked him up and helped lead the Cavaliers to a complete team win. 

Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley both posted double-doubles. Allen recorded 25 points, 11 rebounds and six assists and Mobley added 21 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists. 

Darius Garland scored 18 of his own, Max Strus had 17, Ty Jerome put up 15 and Dean Wade recorded 11, giving Cleveland seven players in double digits in scoring. That's in contrast to Oklahoma City who relied on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams for most of their offensive production with a combined 56 points. 

The Cavaliers now hold a 5.5 game lead for the East's No. 1 seed and have big wins over most of the NBA's top teams like the Bucks, Celtics and Knicks within their conference. Out West, they have beaten the Lakers, Mavericks and Thunder, just to name a few. 

Cleveland has proven it can without Mitchell going off and can beat anyone.