Cavs vs Thunder Thursday Prediction | NBA Picks Today, Best Bets
John Canady
Host · Writer
The Cleveland Cavaliers are set for a showdown with the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday night. In a rematch from last week’s battle, the Thunder look to get redemption after falling to the Cavs 129-122 on the road last week. With both squads looking to make a statement at the top of the league, they’ll have another chance.
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Cavaliers vs Thunder
- Location: Paycom Center (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) | Date: Thursday, Jan. 16
- Where to Watch: TNT/truTV/Max | Time: 7:30 PM ET
- Spread: Thunder -2, Moneyline: Thunder -122, Total: 232.5
Cavaliers vs Thunder Best Bet: Thunder -2
The Thunder fell short in their last battle with the Cavaliers, but it wasn’t for a lack of effort. In arguably one of the season’s best games, both teams traded buckets down the stretch before the Cavs used the momentum from the home fans in Cleveland to pull away late in the fourth. This time, Oklahoma City will have their fans behind them on their home floor, with a 17-2 record on the season. Give me the Thunder to get revenge in this one.
Cavaliers vs Thunder Best Total Bet: Over 232.5
The Cavaliers and the Thunder rank among the league’s top in offensive rating. Cleveland sits at the top with an offensive rating of 121.3, while Oklahoma City trails just behind at 115.7. Each squad can score points quickly; their previous matchup proves that (251 points scored). Assuming this trend continues, a final score of 125-119 could be a realistic outcome.
Cavaliers Best Player Bet: Donovan Mitchell 25+ Points +165
Donovan Mitchell has taken a step back this season in scoring, averaging 23.1 points per game. However, the -3.5 points per game difference from last season is primarily due to the team’s supporting cast around the Louisville product stepping up. In the previous matchup against the Thunder, Mitchell was limited to 11 points in the win. The star guard tends to take matchups against top teams personally and rarely puts up back-to-back poor performances against the same team. Fresh off a 35-point night on Tuesday, it won’t be a surprise to see Mitchell carry the confidence into Oklahoma City.
Thunder Best Player Bet: Jalen Williams 2+ Steals +120
Jalen Williams is one of the top scoring options for the Thunder this season, averaging 20.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.2 assists. Despite that, the 23-year-old takes pride in being a two-way player with his versatility on the defensive end. Against Cleveland in their last battle, the forward finished the matchup with three steals and a block in the loss. This time, his defense could lead to a win back home in OKC.
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