Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made his latest statement in an MVP-worthy season with another 40-point performance Thursday night.

The first meeting between these teams was about the Cavaliers offense. The rematch was about the Thunder defense.

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,