Cavaliers vs. Thunder prediction, odds, pick, spread

The Cleveland Cavaliers will face Oklahoma City Thunder in the Paicom Center. It will be a possible NBA Finals preview as we share our NBA odds series and make a Cavaliers-Thunder prediction and pick.

The Thunder lead the series 71-53. Recently, the The Cavs beat the Thunder 129-122 last week. The Thunder and Cavaliers have split the last 10 games. Additionally, the Thunder are 3-2 in their last five home games against the Cavaliers.

Here are Cavaliers-Thunder NBA oddscourtesy of FanDuel.

NBA odds: Cavaliers-Thunder odds

Cleveland Cavaliers: +3.5 (-108)

Moneiline: +142

Oklahoma City Thunder: -3.5 (-112)

Moneilines: -172

Over: 232.5 (-110)

Under: 232.5 (-110)

How to watch Cavaliers vs. Thunder

Time: 7:30 PM ET/4:30 PM PT

TV: truTV and TNT

*Watch NBA games LIVE with fuboTV (Get Access | Save $30)*

Why the Cavaliers could cover the spread/win

Many people believe in The Cavaliers are the best team in the Eastern Conferenceand there is legitimate reason to believe so. The Cavs have looked unstoppable for most of the season, making buckets without a problem. Points have not been an issue in Cleveland, as the Cavs are ranked first in points and field goal percentage. That helped them take down the Thunder last week.

The Cavaliers shot 52.2 percent from the floor, including 41.7 percent from beyond the arc. Also, the Cavs had more chances at the charity stripe, converting 74.1 percent (20 for 27) from the line. Jarrett Allen led the Cavs with 25 points and 11 rebounds while shooting 9 for 11. He also went 7 for 10 from the free throw line. Evan Mobley also chipped in with 21 points and 10 rebounds while shooting 8-for-13. Darius Garland added 18 points while shooting 7-for-15 from the floor.

The most impressive factor in the win over the Thunder is that they did it despite the big struggles of Donovan Mitchell. Unfortunately, Mitchell only scored 11 points while shooting 3 for 16 from the floor. Despite his struggles, the Cavaliers overcame it and still managed to outlast the best team in the West. Dean Wade also helped, adding 11 points while shooting 4 for 5. Also, Max Struss came off the bench with 17 points while shooting 6 for 7.

The Cavaliers barely won the battle 40-38, including 12 offensive rebounds. This helped them get some extra chances to allow themselves to retreat. Although the defense was not the best, they still held the Thunder to 35.5 percent from three-pointers, providing minimal damage.

The Cavaliers will cover the offset if they can continue to shoot the ball well and convert on their chances at the charity stripe. They must then continue to win the battle on the board.

Why might thunder cover the spread/win

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander recently hit 10,000 points and will look to continue scoring more as they welcome the Cavs to the Paicom Center. Still, it wasn’t enough to beat the Cavaliers last week. While Gilgous-Alexander played well enough, scoring 31 points on 13-for-27 shooting, he needs to do more, whether it’s scoring more or finding his teammates for open chances.

Jaylen Williams was solid in the last game against the Cavs, scoring 25 points while shooting 9 for 17 from the floor. Meanwhile, Isaiah Hartenstein added 18 points and 11 rebounds. Cason Wallace added 15 points, while Andrew Wiggins came off the bench with 11 points.

Thunder wasn’t bad at all. In the end, they shot 53.3 percent from the field. However, as mentioned earlier, their shooting from beyond the arc was not good. The Thunder need their best snipers to hit their 3-pointers to keep up with the Cavaliers. They also shot 88.2 percent from the charity stripe (15-for-17).

There were some positives to this game, as they also had nine steals to force 15 turnovers. Moreover, they blocked five shots. But the Thunder turned the ball over 13 times themselves. They can’t do that again if they want to win this game.

The Thunder will cover the spread if Gilgeous-Alexander and friends can convert on their shooting opportunities, and from the three-point line as well. Next, they need to contain the Cavaliers and not allow them any more chances.

Final Cavaliers-Thunder Prediction & Pick

The Cavaliers are 27-12 against the spread, while the Thunder are 25-12-3 against the odds. Furthermore, the Cavaliers are 13-4 against the spread on the road, while the Thunder are 12-5-1 against the odds at home. The Cavs are 10-1 against the spread when facing the Western Conference, while the Thunder are 10-3 against the spread when facing the Eastern Conference.

These are the two best teams in the NBA. The Cavaliers are 14-3 on the road, while the Thunder are 16-2 at home. I think the Thunder have the talent to beat the Cavaliers. After that, I believe they’ll feed off the energy of the crowd at the Pike Center and take down the Cavaliers while barely covering the spread at home.

Final Cavaliers-Thunder Prediction & Pick: Thunder -3.5 (-112)