With the 132-117 victory over the Pacers Wednesday, the Cavaliers are now winners of four straight (and six in the last seven). Their offense has also risen back from a month-long inconsistency, as it is averaging monster-like numbers of 127 points (52.7 percent shooting), 16.5 threes, and 28 assists in the current winning streak.
In that recent win, LeBron James (25 points, nine assists), Kyrie Irving (29 points, seven assists), and Kevin Love (14 points, 10 rebounds) were all productive, but it was Kyle Korver who had a career game as a Cavalier, swishing eight threes for 29 points – his highest since joining the defending champs one month ago.
The Cavs’ most recent meeting with OKC was last January 29th, where they eased past the Thunder, 107-91. James (25 points, 14 rebounds, eight assists) and Irving (29 points, 10 assits), again, led the way, and again they received a solid contribution from one of the members of their supporting cast, with Tristan Thomson having one of the most complete performances of his career – 19 points, 12 rebounds, four steals, and four blocks.
Cleveland is 6-1 in their last seven games (5-2 ATS).
Like the Cavaliers, the Thunder also had the Pacers as their most recent opponent. Unfortunately, though, the game and the outcome wasn’t similar, as OKC lost in an uneventful 93-90 finish.
Russell Wesbrook, as usual, posted big numbers, including a season-high 18 rebounds, but he and scoring partner Victor Oladipo combined for an appalling 14-for-43 shooting from the floor.
Westbrook (30.9 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 10.2 APG), who is still poised to record the first official triple-double season, should have better nights moving forward, although this Thursday may not be one of those. In the aforementioned loss to the Cavs, “Brodie” filled up the stat sheet – 20 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists – but only went 7-for-26 in his shots (26.9 percent).
OKC’s battle down low, meanwhile, could be intriguing. Rebounding-wise, it may get very competitive, as they pace the league in boards (46.1 PPG), while the Cavs are ninth (44.4 RPG). The paint scoring, however, should be in the favor of Westbrook and company, with them ranking second (49.4 PPG) and the Cavs being 29th (39 PPG).
Further, the Thunder will also boast their seventh-ranked defense versus the fourth-ranked offense of the Cavaliers.
OKC is 7-1 SU and ATS in their last seven games at home.
