Oklahoma City Thunder (33-6) vs Cleveland Cavaliers (34-5)
Game Info: Thursday, January 16, 2025 at 7:30 pm (Paycom Center)
Betting Odds: Oklahoma City Thunder -3 -- Over/Under: 233 Click Here for the Latest Odds
Where to Watch: TNT
The Cleveland Cavaliers (34-5) are set to face the Oklahoma City Thunder (33-6) on January 16, 2025, at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. The Cavaliers, leading the Eastern Conference, boast a potent offense, ranking second in the NBA with an average of 122.3 points per game. Their three-point shooting is particularly impressive, leading the league with a 39.9% success rate. Key players include Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland, who have been instrumental in the team's success.
The Thunder, atop the Western Conference, are renowned for their defensive prowess, allowing just 103.4 points per game, the second-best in the league. Offensively, they average 116.2 points per game, placing them eighth in the NBA. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads the team, contributing significantly on both ends of the court.
This matchup features the league's top two teams, each excelling in different facets of the game. The Cavaliers' high-powered offense will be tested against the Thunder's stifling defense, making this a highly anticipated contest.
Evan Mobley Over 10.5 Rebounds
Evan Mobley has been a pivotal presence for the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2024-25 NBA season. He’s averaging 8.9 rebounds per game, which ranks him 20th in the league. His rebounding breakdown includes approximately 2.1 offensive rebounds and 6.8 defensive rebounds per game. In addition to his rebounding, Mobley contributes 18.9 points and 3.0 assists per game, while shooting 57.5% from the field and 41.6% from beyond the arc. Notably, on January 3, 2025, Mobley recorded a double-double with 34 points and 10 rebounds, leading the Cavaliers to a 134-122 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.
The Thunder do just about everything at an elite level but one thing they've struggled with this season is rebounding the ball. OKC gives up 55.7 rebounds per game to opposing teams which is the second most in the league. In what should be a competitive game down I have no problem taking the Cavs' leading rebounder to have a big night on the boards.
Jalen Williams Over 21.5 Points
Jalen Williams has been a significant contributor for the Oklahoma City Thunder. He’s currently averaging 20.6 points per game. His shooting efficiency includes a field goal percentage of 47.8%, with a three-point shooting percentage of 36.5%. Additionally, he maintains a free throw percentage of 82.4%. His consistent scoring and versatility have been instrumental in the Thunder's success this season.
We saw Jalen Williams score 25 points against this same Cleveland Cavs team just last week which was his best scoring performance in his last 10 games. If the Thunder want to win this game they'll need to have another guy scoring the ball other than SGA. We see a high total for this game so expect a lot of points which Jalen Williams will contribute to.
Donovan Mitchell Under 21.5 Points
Donovan Mitchell has been a key offensive player for the Cleveland Cavaliers this season. He’s averaging 22.8 points per game, ranking him 22nd in the league. His shooting efficiency includes a field goal percentage of 44.9% and a three-point shooting percentage of 41.0%. Additionally, he maintains a free throw percentage of 80.6%.
In the first matchup between these teams last week we saw Donovan Mitchell only score 11 points. It seems like the Thunder put a heavy emphasis on slowing him down and I see them doing the same in this one. Mitchell has only scored over 20 points once and his last five games. Even though Mitchell is a great scorer this isn't the spot to take his over.
Brad’s Pick See Above
AUTHOR: Brad Francis
