Cavs vs. Thunder: Odds, preview, TV
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cavs are set to take on the Thunder at Paycom Center on Wednesday night and look to avenge their loss to the Thunder, 108-105 on Oct. 27.
What sets this upcoming game apart from their previous encounter is the return of two key players to the Cavs’ starting lineup. Darius Garland, the team’s floor general, and Jarrett Allen, the defensive anchor in the paint, are both back from injury.
One of the key matchups to watch will be Garland’s role in guarding Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. In their previous meeting, Gilgeous-Alexander torched the Cavs with 34 points. With Garland back in the lineup, the Cavaliers will have a more versatile defender to try and contain the Thunder’s star guard.
Another intriguing storyline to follow is the influence of Jarrett Allen’s return on Evan Mobley. Allen’s presence in the lineup has proven to be beneficial for Mobley, allowing him to play more freely and explore his versatility on both ends of the floor. This game presents an exciting opportunity for the Cavs to employ different defensive strategies against Chet Holmgren, the Thunder’s young phenom. Whether it’s Allen or Mobley guarding Holmgren, the Cavs will aim to disrupt his rhythm and throw him off his game.
Should Holmgren choose to assert his dominance in the paint, Allen will be there, leveraging his substantial 50-pound weight advantage to establish a physical presence and deny easy baskets. On the other hand, if the promising Rookie of the Year contender decides to showcase his long-range shooting skills, Mobley’s agility and speed will come into play as he contests perimeter shots and utilizes his impressive wingspan to disrupt and challenge every attempt.
The contrasting strengths of Allen and Mobley complement each other seamlessly, in a league where centers are increasingly developing their outside shooting abilities. Having the flexibility to safeguard the perimeter with their length and simultaneously thwart opponents’ interior scoring attempts presents a myriad of challenges for opposing offenses. This dynamic defensive duo played a pivotal role in the Cavaliers’ status as one of the premier defensive teams in the league, both in the regular season and during the postseason last year.
STATES: AZ, CO, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, OH, PA, VA, WV. 21+ and present in participating staes. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.Here’s what to know about Wednesday’s matchup:
Who: Cleveland Cavaliers (3-4) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (4-3).
Series: Second and final game of season series.
Where: Paycom Center.
When: 8 p.m. EDT.
The point spread: Cavs minus-2.5, over/under 112, according to DraftKings.
TV: Bally Sports Ohio.
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