Buh-Buh-Buh-Buh-Buh-Basketball returns to Peacock Monday night for a cross-conference clash between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena, with tip-off at 7 p.m. ET.
The Thunder (4–2, 5th West) are coming off back-to-back blowout losses — capped by Saturday’s 119–98 road defeat against the Houston Rockets — amid a devastating injury crisis. The Cavaliers (4–2, 4th East) have won four of their last five after a commanding 136–111 road win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday.
After Monday’s matchup, the teams will fly to Oklahoma City for a rematch on Wednesday night.
Here’s a look at the Injury Report:
Oklahoma City Thunder
- OUT | Alex Caruso (Ankle), Chet Holmgren (Knee), Thomas Sorber (Knee), Nikola Topic (Back), Cason Wallace (Shoulder), Jalen Williams (Ankle)
Cleveland Cavaliers
- QUESTIONABLE | Peyton Watson (Hamstring)
- OUT | Khalifa Diop (G-League Assignment), Nae’Qwan Tomlin (Back), Jaylon Tyson (Ankle), Ernest Udeh Jr. (Two-Way)
Looking at the odds, the Cavaliers are 3.5-point home favorites with -179 moneyline odds on DraftKings Sportsbook. The Thunder are +150 underdogs, with the game total set at O/U 229.5 points.
Thunder vs. Cavaliers Game Preview
Oklahoma City Thunder
Oklahoma City’s revenge tour feels like it crashed and burned before it could even get off the ground. Just two weeks into the season, the title contenders have been hit with a catastrophic wave of injuries that will see Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, and Cason Wallace sidelined for an extended period. The short-handed Thunder managed to fend off the Phoenix Suns last week, but another injury to Alex Caruso has left the franchise looking unrecognizable from its former dynastic self.
Over its last two games, Oklahoma City ranks 27th in offensive and defensive rating, and 29th in net rating. Albeit a small sample size, it’s clear the Thunder are extremely vulnerable without several key contributors. Reigning back-to-back MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Ajay Mitchell have done their best to carry the offense, but it hasn’t been enough to avoid back-to-back losses by 20+ points.
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavaliers have gotten off to a solid start this season, though it’s largely been a case of capitalizing against mediocre competition. Although they’ve won four of their last five games, three of them came against the Brooklyn Nets, the Washington Wizards, and the Milwaukee Bucks.
Cleveland ranks eighth in offensive rating and second in points per game, even though Donovan Mitchell averages just 22.7 points, and James Harden shoots under 40 percent from the floor. Granted, Evan Mobley has looked great through six games, averaging a career-high 19.7 points while making a tremendous leap from beyond the arc. Still, the Cavs remain fairly pedestrian on the defensive end, even after adding Peyton Watson — who’s questionable for Monday’s game.
Thunder vs. Cavaliers Pick, Best Bet
Although the Cavaliers have benefited from a breezy schedule early on, that trend will continue Monday night against the severely understaffed Thunder. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Ajay Mitchell haven’t been enough to steady the ship, and Donovan Mitchell and James Harden should find their rhythm against a porous OKC defense. Cleveland should take care of business at home in spread-covering fashion.
