Following the Cavaliers vs. Thunder game, one might want to check the calendar to confirm whether it’s January or June. The nail-biting matchup certainly didn’t feel like a regular-season game. It had the intensity of a potential NBA Finals clash. What else could you expect when the top teams from both conferences face off on the hardwood? While the game ended in Cleveland’s favor, they didn’t have it easy. After overcoming those struggles, Darius Garland finally broke his silence.

The Cavaliers are all about team play and they proved it once again. Even without Chet Holmgren, OKC brought their A-game on defense, and Donovan Mitchell fell into their trap. Thunder’s Isaiah Hartenstein and Lu Dort locked in on the Cavs guard, who struggled with his shooting. His 3-of-16 from the field and 2-of-7 from beyond the arc certainly made things tough for the team. However, the others stepped up at the right time for the rescue. And what once seemed like a tough task ended in the Eastern side’s 129-122 victory.

After the game, when Garland was asked in the courtside interview about the overall depth the team brings every night, he said, “We just had a next man-up mentality. That’s been our depth, and we’ve been rolling with that the entire year.” And it’s clearly working for them, given their impressive 32-4 record. “Somebody had to make a step up and Ty Jerome, Caris LeVert, Georges Niang. That next up mentality is really huge for us, and it showed tonight,” Garland added. When Mitchell posted only 11 points, three of them stepped up and added 26 points, forming a vital partnership to make up for it.

While the Thunder showcased their remarkable defense last night, the Cavaliers displayed their outstanding offense, making the game even more exciting to watch. Clearly, the team is almost championship-ready but if Darius Garland and the Cavaliers want to solidify their chances for the franchise’s second title, there’s something they need to focus on, suggested Kendrick Perkins.

Kendrick Perkins offers championship advice for Darius Garland and Co.

Perkins had a short stint with the Cavaliers, and while he couldn’t achieve the Larry O’Brien Trophy, he wanted Darius Garland and the rest of the squad to be prepared for it. He said, “If the Cavs are gonna have any shot of trying to make a deep playoff run, whether that’s getting to the conference finals or the NBA finals, those two guys are gonna have to be tied on the string. And I’m talking about Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.”

The ex-Celtics champion cited the example of Minnesota’s Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns last season, pointing out how their bond helped the team reach the Conference Finals. According to the analyst, the Twin Towers of the Cavaliers need to be closely tied together to bring out the best in the squad during their postseason run. They have been outstanding this season. And last night, both of them delivered double-double performances, with Mobley contributing a 21-10-7 stat line, while Allen added 21-12-6. Garland also helped in the offense by putting up 18 points and 7 assists.

Perkins emphasized, “Darius Garland has finally got his confidence back. But in order for the Cavs to make a deep run, those two guys are gonna have to be able to coexist like they did tonight and continue to develop the chemistry so they can make a deep run into the postseason.”

The choice is certainly difficult for Perkins. He is a former Celtic, a team that stands as a threat to the Cavaliers in the East, his position is tricky. Yet, the 40-year-old offered valuable advice for Cleveland. This shows his neutral perspective and his strong affiliation with both of his former teams. How Garland and the team act on it will be something to watch this season.