Cavs vs. Thunder Prediction
Will the Cavaliers pull off the upset today when they visit the Thunder at 3:30PM ET or can Oklahoma City cover as slight favorite for bettors?
According to oddsmakers from online sports book Bovada.lv, the Thunder is a 3-point home favorite for this afternoon’s clash with the Cavs, while the total currently sits at 214.5 points, down from 215.
Cleveland enters play winners of eight of its last 10 games while Oklahoma City has won seven of its last 10. During that 10-game stretch, the Cavaliers are 5-4-1 against the spread while the Thunder have covered in just seven of their last 10 games.
Prediction
For whatever reason, the Thunder has consistently struggled against Eastern Conference foes. While the Warriors are an impressive 19-2 against the East and the Spurs are an equally notable 20-4 against the conference, the Thunder are just 13-10 versus Eastern Conference foes. Why? Nobody is sure.
The latest example of OKC’s struggle against the conference came on Friday night when it lost to Indiana 101-90 at home. In that game, the Thunder led by seven points with just over two minutes remaining. OKC also lost at home to Boston this year, is 0-2 versus Chicago, 0-1 versus Cleveland, Toronto and Indiana, respectively, and also is 1-1 against the Knicks and Nets, which are hardly powerhouses.
Now enter the Cavs, the best team in the East by far. Even without the newly acquired Channing Frye, who will not play today, or Iman Shumpert (sprained left shoulder), Cleveland can match up with any opponent. LeBron will be a thorn for Kevin Durant today and Kyrie Irving should contend with Russell Westbrook.
OKC is 1-4 against the spread in its last five games versus Eastern Conference foes, 1-6 ATS in its last seven games playing on one day of rest, and 3-8 ATS in its last 11 games overall. The rest of the trends aren’t pretty for the Thunder.
Take the points.
SUNDAY NBA PREDICTION: CLEVELAND CAVS +3
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