Cavs @ OKC on Friday night! Preview, Pick and Props

The Cavaliers visit the Thunder in a game that will feature some of today's most exciting backcourts - Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell vs. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddy. 

The Cavaliers have won two of their last three games and should have Donovan Mitchell back from his groin injury, although he sat out the first night of a back-to-back set on Thursday. Mitchell is slated to play on Friday but plan on checking the newsfeed to make sure he’s good to go. Kevin Love sat out on Thursday with back spasms and will likely be a game-time call for Friday. Darius Garland went off for 26 points, nine assists, three steals and five 3-pointers on Thursday without Mitchell, and Evan Mobley came through with 21 points and 10 rebounds for just his second double-double in his last 20 games. Jarrett Allen added 14 points, 10 rebounds and three steals, Caris LeVert, filling in for Mitchell, had 12 points and Dean Wade came through with 15 points and four triples off the bench in place of Love. 

The Cavs won their first meeting with the Thunder this season 110-102 on Dec. 10, despite not having Mitchell available and an off night for Garland. Garland hit just 3-of-9 shots for 13 points, eight assists and six turnovers in that one. Big men Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley both double-doubled and Mobley has only had 11 of those this season. Caris LeVert came through with 22 points and four 3-pointers in that one, but should play a pretty minor role if Mitchell is playing.

Be sure to sign up for a free Oddscrowd account and check out all our Best Picks for tonight’s basketball action, both NBA and college, as well as the NHL. 

The Thunder are coming off a home loss to the Hawks when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander went off for 36 points, five rebounds, seven assists, two steals, two blocks and a 3-pointer. Jalen Williams added 24 points, five rebounds, four steals and a 3-pointer, Josh Giddey had 16 points, eight rebounds, six assists and two steals and Lu Dort added 12 points and three 3-pointers in the loss. The Thunder have lost two of their last three games but are 8-4 over their last 12. They’ve beaten some of the league’s best teams over that stretch (Boston, Philly, Brooklyn, Sacramento and Denver) and tonight’s game should be a thriller. Lu Dort (hamstring) is out on Friday, so look for Aaron Wiggins and Kenrich Williams to step up in his place, while the rest of the OKC regulars are healthy. 

The Thunder lost their first meeting with Cleveland this season and SGA looked human in that one, finishing with 23 points, two rebounds, three assists and two steals, which is one of his more bland performances of the entire year. Giddey came through with 17 points, 13 rebounds and six assists in that one, along with a steal, a block and a 3-pointer.

Top performing Oddscrowd bettor MarySD likes the Cavaliers Moneyline tonight. However, the Thunder like to beat up on good teams recently and the Cavaliers, who should be tired, qualify as such. We’re rolling with the Thunder and taking the point at home. 

Pick: Thunder +1

Prop 1: Josh Giddey Over 30.5 points, rebounds and assists

Prop 2: Jarrett Allen Over 25.5 points and rebounds

Prop 3: Jalen Williams Over 13.5 points