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.

The Thunder put Thursday night's showdown with the Cavs out of reach by halftime and led by as many as 42 points in a 134-114 home win Thursday night.

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,