Cavaliers vs Thunder NBA Predictions, Odds, Props & Picks (1/16)

NBA fans will be treated to another potential Finals preview when the Cleveland Cavaliers (34-5) and Oklahoma City Thunder (33-6) collide at Paycom Center on Thursday. A game loaded with all this talent is bound to boast a plethora of NBA betting options, and this Cavaliers vs. Thunder preview is here to help you get in on the action.

Can Cleveland sweep the regular-season series? Or will Oklahoma City add another home victory to its collection?

Let’s answer those questions — and more — as we dive into today’s Cavaliers vs. Thunder odds, predictions, and best bets.

2024-25 NBA Game Predictions: 32-18-0 (64.0%)

2024-25 NBA Best Bet + Prop Record: 53-46-0 (53.5%)

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NBA Betting: Cavaliers vs Thunder Preview (1/16)

Cavaliers vs Thunder Betting Information

• Matchup: Cleveland Cavaliers (34-5, 14-3 Away) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (33-6, 17-2 Home)
• Venue & Location: Paycom Center (Oklahoma City, OK)
• Date: Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025
• Game Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
• How to Watch Cavaliers vs. Thunder: TNT, truTV, Max

Cavaliers vs Thunder NBA Betting Odds

All NBA odds are courtesy of BetOnline as of Thursday, Jan. 16 at 10:33 a.m. ET. Odds from other sportsbooks may also be mentioned in this article.

Cavaliers vs Thunder Spread

• Cleveland Cavaliers +1.5 (-110)
• Oklahoma City Thunder -1.5 (-110)

Thunder vs Cavaliers Over/Under

• Over 233 Points (-115)
• Under 233 Points (-105)

Cavaliers vs Thunder Moneyline

• Cleveland Cavaliers +105
• Oklahoma City Thunder -125

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Cavaliers vs Thunder NBA Betting Trends

• Cleveland is 8-1 straight up in its last nine games played in January.
• Oklahoma City is 4-2 straight up in its last six home games vs. Cleveland.
• Cleveland is 2-4 ATS in its last six games vs. Oklahoma City.
• Oklahoma City is 6-0 ATS in its last six home games.
• The total hit the Over in 10 of Cleveland’s last 13 games.
• The total hit the Under in four of Oklahoma City’s last six games vs. Cleveland.

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Cavaliers vs Thunder NBA Predictions & Picks (1/16)

It’s the second meeting in just over a week between these NBA Championship contenders.

The Cavaliers emerged victorious with a 129-122 win over the Thunder at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse back on Jan. 8. It was a game that featured several lead changes, however, the Cavs proved to be too much for the visitors to handle as Jarrett Allen (25 points, 11 rebounds) and Evan Mobley (21 points, 10 rebounds) recorded double-doubles to help their team pick up the win.

With that crucial victory, the Cavaliers have improved to 13-1 SU in their last 14 outings this season. The only defeat during this run came in the form of Sunday’s 108-93 loss to the Indiana Pacers, but Cleveland quickly righted that wrong by beating them 127-117 just two nights later. The Cavs’ ability to bounce back is a big reason why they own an 80.0% win percentage following a loss in 2024-25.

Do the Cavaliers have what it takes to defeat the Thunder twice in eight days? 

The Thunder, meanwhile, have bounced back nicely since losing to the Cavaliers. Mark Daigneault’s team has won each of its last three games since that meeting, averaging 126.7 points per game with a plus-27.3 average scoring margin. That isn’t to say that the Thunder are going to blow the Cavs out in a similar manner, but it does show that they aren’t letting last week’s defeat bring them down.

Having said that, Oklahoma City could run into issues defending Cleveland’s frontcourt again. Big men Isaiah Hartenstein (calf) and Chet Holmgren (hip) will both be out of the lineup tonight, opening the door for Mobley and Allen to dominate the paint again. Additionally, Nikola Topic (knee) will likely also be absent as he continues to rehab his knee injury.

On the flip side, the Cavaliers’ injury situation is much more promising. Emoni Bates — who’s yet to make an NBA appearance this season — is also dealing with a knee issue while Ty Jerome’s status is up in the air due to an illness that’s sidelined him for the last two games.

Can the Thunder’s healthy players — like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — overcome their team’s injury situation? 

Although the Thunder are the home team this time around, I’m taking the Cavaliers to win on the road.

I was really impressed with how Cleveland handled Oklahoma City last week, and I won’t be shocked if history repeats itself. As good as the Thunder are (and that’s very good), their frontcourt injuries are too glaring to ignore. Unless they do a better job at defending the paint, the Cavaliers’ big men will have another successful night. OKC will keep it close, but it won’t be good enough.

Take the Cavaliers on the moneyline in what should be another close-fought clash.

Cavaliers vs. Thunder NBA Prediction: CLE wins

Best Cavaliers vs. Thunder NBA Bet: CLE ML (+105)

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Best Cavaliers vs Thunder NBA Player Prop Bet (1/16)

After last week’s performance against OKC, you can’t go wrong with Jarrett Allen scoring 15+ points (+115 on Bovada) as one of the best Cavaliers vs. Thunder NBA player prop bets.

Allen, 26, is one of those players who’s only gotten better as the 2024-25 campaign has progressed. In his last nine games, the former Texas Longhorn is averaging 17.9 points on 76.1% shooting while the Over went 6-3 along the way. He’s also averaging 17.6 PPG in his last five road games, which includes Tuesday’s 16-point effort.

Including last week’s collision, Allen is now averaging 18.0 PPG with a 76.2 FG% in his last seven encounters with the Thunder. Throw in OKC’s frontcourt injuries and it’s even easier to like this prop.

Best Cavaliers vs. Thunder Player Prop Bet: Jarrett Allen 15+ Points (+115)

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