Cavaliers vs. Thunder Analysis & Spread Pick 1/27/23

Cleveland Cavaliers (30-20 SU, 27-22-1 ATS) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (23-25 SU, 31-17-0 ATS)

When: Friday, January 27th, 8:00 PM (ET)

Where: Paycom Center, OK, Oklahoma City

TV: BSO

Point Spread: Cle -1.5/OKC -1.5 (Bet it free with a 100% BONUS!)

Total: 222.5

Money Line: Cleveland Cavaliers -119/-103

Notable Injuries

Cavaliers

• Kevin Love (Questionable) Back
• Donovan Mitchell (Questionable) Groin
• Dylan Windler (Out) Ankle

Thunder

• Luguentz Dort (Out) Hamstring
• Aleksej Pokusevski (Out) Leg
• Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (Out) Ankle
• Chet Holmgren (Out) Foot

Recent Form

Heading into the game, Cleveland is 30-20 overall. When taking to the road, Cleveland has a mark of 10-15 and a win percentage of 40%. Currently, the team is 5th in the Eastern Conference. So far, they are 27-22-1 vs. the spread. When looking at how the team has performed of late straight and vs. the spread, they are 2-3 in their past five games and 3-2 ATS. Over their past ten games, they are 5-5 SU and 6-4 ATS.

In their previous game, the Cleveland team emerged victorious against the Rockets, winning by a margin of 8 points as predicted. Darius Garland shone for the Cavaliers, scoring 26 points on a shooting percentage of 56.2%. The Cavaliers not only won the game but also successfully covered the spread.

Heading into the game, Oklahoma City is 23-25 overall. When playing at home, Oklahoma City has a mark of 14-10 and a win percentage of 58%. Currently, the team is 11th in the Western Conference. So far, they are 31-17-0 vs. the spread. In Oklahoma City’s last five games, the Thunder have a straight-up record of 3-2 while going 4-1 in those games. Going back to the last 10, they are 7-3 and 9-1 ATS.

In their most recent game, Oklahoma City was unable to come home with a victory against the Hawks, losing by a score of 137-132. Despite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading the team with 36 points, the Thunder were unable to overcome their status as 1-point underdogs. The Thunder also ended up with an ATS loss in the game.

The Historicals

In the most recent matchup between the two teams, the Cavaliers picked up the 110-102 win over the Thunder. The Cavaliers’ margin of victory was enough to cover the spread as 4.5 point favorite. This has been the only matchup between the two teams this season. Across the previous five head-to-head meetings between the teams, both Cleveland and Oklahoma City have an ATS record of 2-2-1. The Cavaliers hold the edge in average point differential at +6 points per game. In these matchups, the teams have put together an over-under mark of 2-3. Combined, they averaged 210 points in these games.

Analysis

This season, Cleveland is averaging just 111.5 points per game, which places them 26th in the league. A major reason for these low numbers is the fact that they play at one of the slower paces in the NBA at just 96.1 possessions per game. Cleveland heads into the game as one of the top 3-point shooting teams in terms of percentage. So far, they have hit 36.4% of their looks from deep. However, they are currently ranked just 22nd in 3-point attempts per contest. Defensively, the Cavaliers have been one of the best units in the NBA, allowing just 105.67 points per game. So far, they have allowed a 3-point shooting percentage of 35.29%, placing them 16th in the NBA.

Heading into the game, Donovan Mitchell is listed as questionable on the injury report. This season, he leads the team with a per-game scoring average of 28.3. Currently, Darius Garland is 2nd on the team in scoring at 21.8 points per game.

This season, Oklahoma City is among the league leaders in scoring, averaging 116.9 points per game. So far, the Thunder are also one of the more up-tempo teams in the league, sitting at 101.9 possessions per game. The three-point shot has been a big part of Oklahoma City’s offensive game plan, as they are ranked 12th in 3-point attempts per game. So far, they have connected on 35.9% of their looks from the outside. On defense, the Thunder allow an average of 111.83 points per game, placing them 15th in the league. So far, opposing teams are hitting 34.97% of their looks from deep vs. Oklahoma City.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the top scorer for Oklahoma City, averaging 30.8 points per game. This season, his field goal percentage is 51.1%. The team’s second-leading scorer is Josh Giddey, with an average of 16.0 points per game.

More Picks: Get our Toronto at Golden State betting predictions for 1/27/23

Betting Trends

• The Cavaliers are 5-13-2 ATS in their last 20 road games.
• The Cavaliers are 1-5 ATS in their last six games following a straight-up win.
• The Thunder are 4-0 ATS in their last four games following a straight-up loss.
• The Thunder are 6-0-1 ATS in their last seven games playing on one day rest.

Joes Pick To Cover The Spread

OKC has been playing incredible basketball at home, winning four of their last five home games and all four wins came by double digits or more! As you know, if you’ve followed me for any length of time, fading the Cavs on the road has been a treasure trove, and I’m riding that train again Friday night! I’m betting the Thunder at +1.5! Get a 125% real cash bonus up to $400 AND get a FREE HALF POINT everytime you bet your favorite team when you sign up through our link and use bonus code PREDICTEM! It’s a KILLER deal from a GREAT sportsbook!