The Cavaliers will host the Thunder in Cleveland on Wednesday night in one of the most highly anticipated matchups of the 2024-25 NBA campaign. 

Both teams are on pace to win 70-plus games nearly halfway through the season, but something has to give at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. 

The Cavs hold the slight advantage in the eyes of oddsmakers, coming in as 2.5-point favorites at BetMGM as of Tuesday morning.

But they may be up for a setback against a Thunder team they have a hard time matching up against. 

Cleveland’s offense is run by two-smallish guards – Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland – who have helped the team score 113 or more points in every game during their current 14-1 run. 

Thunder vs. Cavaliers odds

Thunder vs. Cavaliers prediction

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OKC, which has won 15 straight on the back of the best defense in basketball, just so happens to have the perfect personnel to deal with these two strong shooting, quick ball-handlers with a half-dozen strong perimeter defenders to throw at the pair. 

The Cavaliers’ only home loss this season came against the Hawks, who, like the Thunder, have a stable of three-and-D wings to throw at opposing teams.

On the other side of the ball, Mitchell and Garland will have a hard time slowing down the likes of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams, who have the size to bully the Cavs’ backcourt. 

With a healthy Isaiah Hartenstein, the Thunder also now have length around the rim to deal with Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley.

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Since Hartenstein entered OKC’s lineup after dealing with a hand injury, they are 19-1, with their only loss being a three-point road defeat at the hands of the upstart Rockets.

Over the past week, the Thunder have also had key double-digit wins over the Celtics and Knicks. 

Expect them to send a message across the league with another big victory Wednesday. 

The play: Thunder moneyline (+120, BetMGM)

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Dylan Svoboda is a versatile writer and analyst across many sports. He’s particularly knowledgeable about the big three — MLB, the NFL and the NBA.