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The Cleveland Cavaliers (1-0) welcome the Oklahoma City Thunder (1-0) to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse Friday. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Thunder vs. Cavaliers odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
Season series: First meeting; teams split 2 games last season
The Cavaliers beat the Brooklyn Nets 114-113 Wednesday, failing to cover as a 1.5-point road favorite. Cleveland was led by F Max Strus and G Donovan Mitchell, both of whom scored 27 points and combined to nailed 11 threes. It held Brooklyn to 33% from deep. The Cavaliers were 43-40-4 against the spread (ATS) last season.
The Thunder were the 3rd-best covering team a season ago at 46-35-3 ATS. They beat the Chicago Bulls 124-104 as a 2.5-point road underdog in their opener as G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 points and dished out 10 assists.
Thunder at Cavaliers odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 12:02 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Thunder +134 (bet $100 to win $134) | Cavaliers -158 (bet $158 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Thunder +3.5 (-110) | Cavaliers -3.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 226.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Thunder at Cavaliers key injuries
Thunder
- F Jaylin Williams (hamstring) out
Cavaliers
- C Jarrett Allen (ankle) out
- G Darius Garland (hamstring) questionable
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
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Thunder at Cavaliers picks and predictions
Prediction
Cavaliers 117, Thunder 111
Moneyline
PASS.
If there is value on the moneyline, it is for the Thunder, but on the road for the 2nd straight game and against a more athletic front court, OKC may struggle. Ultimately pass as the Cavaliers aren’t worth their value and are better played on the spread.
Against the spread
BET CAVALIERS -3.5 (-110).
Cleveland was 24-17-1 ATS as a home favorite last season and has the front-court length and athleticism to limit SGA. F Evan Mobley should be able to protect the rim far better than the Bulls proved able to.
The Nets back court scored just 9 points against the Cavaliers, and Cleveland could force OKC’s guards, which is where most of its scoring comes from, to struggle.
OKC shot 49% from deep which is unlikely to be repeated as well. Expect the Cavs defense to limit the Thunder and for them to cover at home. Back CAVALIERS -3.5 (-110).
Over/Under
LEAN OVER 226.5 (-110).
Both teams went Over in their 1st game as the Thunder scored 124 and helped go over their 224.5 total. The Cavaliers tallied 114 points and aided the Over on their 219 total.
The Cavaliers added a key 3-point shooter in Strus and should be more potent from deep this season. Both sides are young and have talented back courts.
Expect them to score and keep a high pace. Back OVER 226.5 (-110).
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