Thunder vs. Cavaliers NBA Picks: Can OKC Keep Hanging Around?

Two franchises headed in opposite directions will clash in Cleveland as the bottom-dwelling Oklahoma City Thunder take on the surprisingly consistent Cleveland Cavaliers. In what will be the only nationally televised game of an NFL-heavy day, let’s take a closer look with our Thunder-Cavaliers NBA picks.

After a few noteworthy wins in December, the Thunder have fallen right back into the same free-fall with which they started the year. Losing nine of 10 games to start 2022, the Thunder come into Saturday dead last in the league in points per game (100.6), field goal percentage (41.6%), and 3-point percentage (31.0%), with no offensive acumen to speak of. 

One serious injury after another has not derailed the Cavaliers. They sit fifth in the Eastern Conference, just 2.5 games back from the conference-leading Brooklyn Nets. Averaging just 107.5 points per game, the Cavaliers rely on their nightly defensive effort to pick up victories. They’re allowing just 102.8 points per game to rank third defensively.

Here are my picks and predictions for Saturday’s NBA matchup between the Thunder and Cavaliers (odds via DraftKings Sportsbook; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5 star scale).

Thunder vs. Cavaliers Game Info

Date/Time: Saturday, Jan. 22, 8 p.m. ETTV: NBA TV, BSOK, BSOHLocation: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland, OH

Thunder vs. Cavaliers Odds Analysis

Oddsmakers and bettors alike seem to be on the same page with this spread, as it opened at Cavaliers -12 across the board and has mostly remained there. It did touch -12.5 in the early morning hours but has since settled back in at -12 as of mid-day. Eighty-two percent of the money and 67% of the bets are on the Cavaliers.

We’ve seen some movement with the total since opening at 209.5. It dropped down to 209 right away and ultimately settled at 208.5 on most books. Seventy percent of the bets and handle are on the Over.

Thunder vs. Cavaliers Picks

Thunder +12 (-105) ???Over 209 (-105) ??Darius Garland Over 20.5 points (-125) ???

SEE ALSO: NBA Parlay Picks for Saturday

Thunder vs. Cavaliers Predictions

Thunder +12 (-105)

While the Thunder haven’t been getting it done on either side of the ball, this is an awfully big number for the Cavaliers. Even on their best nights, they do not shoot the lights out. While winning five of their last six games, the Cavaliers won by more than seven just once, a Jan. 12 road win at the Utah Jazz.

The one bright spot on this Thunder team, if there has been any, has been their defensive effort led by one of the league’s most lockdown defenders in Luguentz Dort. I expect a Thunder team that has been priding itself on defense to manage to keep this one close.

Over 209 (-105)

Despite already gushing about both teams’ defensive chops, I think this number is a bit extreme even for their standards. Each team played to the Under on Saturday's line just once in their respective last five games.

With Cavaliers point guard Rajon Rondo (hamstring) and forward Lamar Stevens (knee) expected to be hobbled at best, I expect a Thunder team to be able to take advantage and for this one to be a higher scoring game than oddsmakers are listing.

Garland Over 20.5 points (-125)

Already shaded to the Over, we might see this line hit 21-plus before it closes at tipoff. Since he returned from injury two weeks ago, Garland is averaging 20.7 points, bringing his season rate to 19.8 points per game.

He gets a reeling Thunder team that over their last two games have allowed 119.5 points per game while showing no signs of motivation to compete on the defensive end. Now on their third game in four days and the last of a four-game road trip, I expect tired Thunder legs and for Garland to get 21 or more points.

SEE ALSO: All picks and odds. Be sure to check out SportsbookReview.com’s community forums and betting tools.

Thunder-Cavaliers picks made 1/22/2022 at 1:07 p.m. ET.