OKC has won its last three games; a stretch in which Russell Westbrook has toasted each opponent with jaw-dropping performances.
The UCLA product recorded two-consecutive triple-doubles and, more recently, went on a scoring rampage with 45 points on 16-of-29 shooting in a 109-98 win against Dallas. And that said, expect the same storyline for tonight, and likely for the rest of the season, in this regular-season opener against the Cavaliers.
The Thunder will be on the road here, and they are just 4-6 SU and 5-5 ATS in their last 10 games as the visitors. But as long as Westbrook keeps it going, you can never count out OKC in any game. He’s averaging, after all, triple-double numbers (31.0 points, 10.2 assists, 10.6 rebounds) this season.
However, Enes Kanter’s absence (fractured forearm) significantly changes things, and puts even more pressure on Westbrook. He’s definitely going to need all the help he can get in this one.
A slumping Cleveland team took care of the NBA’s worst team—Brooklyn—on Friday behind a pair of big nights from LeBron James and Kyrie Irving.
The King went off for 31 points and 11 dimes, while the former first overall pick added 28 points on 10-of-17 shooting to put some confidence back into the reigning champs, who were losers of three-straight games prior to the win.
A victory over Brooklyn isn’t exactly enough to say that the Cavs are back to their old dominating selves. Also, their defense gave away 116 to the Nets, marking the fourth-straight time Cleveland’s allowed at least that much.
The Cavs could see themselves back in the losing column if their defense stays the same, especially against Russell Westbrook and the Thunder. Cleveland is 6-4 SU and 7-3 ATS in the last 10 meetings with OKC.
