Cleveland Cavaliers vs Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Pick & Prediction 1/16/25
The Cleveland Cavaliers travel to Oklahoma City to take on the Thunder in a non-conference matchup. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 ET at Paycom Center.
Oklahoma City (-131) is currently favored by 2.5 points over the Cavaliers (+110). The over/under line for the game is 232.5. The Thunder are on a three-game winning streak and are 1st in the Western Conference with a record of 33-6. Cleveland is 34-5 and leads the Eastern Conference.
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS VS OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER BETTING PICK
The Pick: Cleveland Cavaliers +2.5
This game will be played at Paycom Center at 7:30 ET on Thursday, January 16th.
WHY BET THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 135-106 in favor of the Cavaliers.
- Our projections have Donovan Mitchell finishing with 23 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists.
- From the field, we have the Cavaliers finishing with a field goal percentage of 48.1% and knocking down 18 threes.
Does Cleveland Have What it Takes on the Road?
The Cavaliers improved to 34-5 on the season with a 127-117 road win over the Pacers on Tuesday. Cleveland entered the game as -8.5 point favorites and covered the spread, while the total score of 244 points exceeded the over/under line of 231 by 13 points.
A key moment came when the Cavaliers went on a 10-0 run, turning an 85-77 deficit into an 87-85 lead. They outscored the Pacers 38-28 in the 3rd quarter and held on in the 4th, despite being outscored 28-27.
Donovan Mitchell’s 35-point performance, including 19 in the first quarter, led the Cavaliers to a 127-117 win over the Pacers. Mitchell shot 52.2% from the field and hit 3 threes at 33.3%. Darius Garland added 24 points, with 13 coming in the 4th quarter, while Evan Mobley contributed 22 points and 13 rebounds, hitting 3 threes at 75%.
Cleveland made 15 threes as a team, shooting 34.1% from beyond the arc and 48.3% overall. Mobley and Garland each scored 13 points in the 3rd quarter, with Garland adding 7 assists in the game.
Defensively, the Cavaliers gave up 117 points to the Pacers, who shot 48% from the field. Cleveland allowed 30 points in the 1st quarter and 31 in the 2nd but tightened up a bit in the 3rd and 4th, giving up 28 points in each.
The Cavaliers limited Indiana’s three-point shooting, allowing 12 made threes on 42% shooting. Cleveland sent the Pacers to the line 22 times, where they hit 17 free throws. The Cavaliers finished with 35 defensive rebounds, gave up 9 offensive boards, and added 8 steals and 6 blocks.
Will the Thunder Live Up to Expectations at Home?
Oklahoma City improved to 33-6 this season with a 118-102 win over the 76ers on Tuesday. The Thunder were favored by 16 points, and the final score matched that spread. The game’s total of 220 points went over the pre-game line of 214.
OKC took control early with an 11-0 run, stretching the score from 12-9 to 20-12. After a strong 1st quarter, they led 37-21. The 76ers fought back, winning the 2nd and 3rd quarters, but the Thunder sealed the win by outscoring Philadelphia 31-21 in the 4th.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 32 points on 80% shooting led the Thunder to a win over the 76ers, with 14 of those points coming in the 1st quarter. Jalen Williams added 24 points, and Cason Wallace contributed 18, including 11 in the 4th quarter, shooting 70% from the field.
As a team, the Thunder shot 55.6% overall, despite hitting just 33.3% from three-point range, making 12 threes. Gilgeous-Alexander also had 9 assists, while Williams chipped in 6 assists and 4 rebounds.
Despite a rough 3rd quarter, the Thunder’s defense held strong in the 1st and 4th, allowing just 21 points in each to help secure a 118-102 win over the 76ers. Oklahoma City limited Philadelphia to 44% shooting from the field.
The Thunder were particularly effective at defending the three, holding the 76ers to just 13 made threes on 29% shooting. Oklahoma City also recorded 10 steals and 4 blocks in the game.