Cleveland Cavaliers vs Oklahoma City Thunder Prediction 2/22/2026 Today’s NBA Picks

The Cleveland Cavaliers and the Oklahoma City Thunder collide at the Paycom Center on Sunday afternoon. Here’s a Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder prediction. This article will include a Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder pick.

Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Preview 

The Cleveland Cavaliers have been on fire as they’ve reeled off 12 wins from their past 13 games overall, and they will be gunning for an eighth straight victory after beating the Hornets in a 118-113 road win on Friday. Donovan Mitchell has been in sensational form for the Cavaliers, and he led the way again with 32 points. Jarrett Allen added 26 points and 14 rebounds on 11 of 15 shooting, while James Harden chipped in with 18 points and eight assists.

As a team, the Cavaliers shot 53 percent from the field and 10 of 21 from the 3-point line as they squandered an early 14-point lead after leaking 36 points in the third quarter, but they regrouped and used a pivotal 7-0 run late in the fourth quarter to reclaim the lead and escaped with the gritty road win. 

Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Preview 

Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Thunder have been in decent form lately, as they’ve won six of their last 10 games overall, and they will be eager to stay hot after blowing past the lowly Nets in a 105-86 home win on Friday. Jared McCain led the team in scoring with 21 points off the bench, Chet Holmgren added 15 points with seven rebounds, and Isaiah Joe chipped in with 11 points, but no other player scored more than 10 points.

As a team, the Thunder shot just 42 percent from the field and 13 of 35 from the 3-point line, which aren’t impressive numbers, but the Thunder set this win up with their defense, as they were always in control after holding the Nets to just 10 points in the second quarter to open up a double-digit lead. 

Why the Oklahoma City Thunder will win

• The Thunder have won 16 of their last 17 games at Paycom Center following a home win.
• The Cavaliers have lost each of their last four road games against Thunder teams that held a winning record.
• The Thunder have covered the spread in seven of their last eight home games against Central Division opponents that held a winning record.
• The Cavaliers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four games at Paycom Center.

Why the Cleveland Cavaliers will win

• The Cavaliers have won 12 of their last 13 games.
• The Cavaliers have covered the spread in five of their last six road games against Northwest Division opponents.
• The Thunder have failed to cover the spread in four of their last five home games against Eastern Conference opponents following a win.

Total Points Facts

• Each of the last four games between the Cavaliers and Thunder has gone OVER the total points line.
• Six of the Cavaliers’ last seven day games against Western Conference opponents have gone OVER the total points line.

Oklahoma City Thunder Player Facts

• Isaiah Joe ranks 5th amongst qualified players for three-pointers made per 36 minutes (4.1) this season.
• Isaiah Hartenstein leads all Thunder players for rebounds per 36 minutes (13.5) this season.

Cleveland Cavaliers Player Facts

• Donovan Mitchell is one of only two qualified players to have made a three in every game this season.
• Dean Wade ranks 2nd amongst qualified players for assist-to-turnover ratio (5.2) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Thunder rank 1st in the league for opponent field goal percentage this season (43.4%).
• The Thunder rank 1st in the league for opponent free throw percentage this season (74.9%).
• The Cavaliers rank 1st in the league for H2 points per game this season (61.3).
• The Cavaliers rank 2nd in the league for field goals made per game this season (43.6).

Cleveland Cavaliers vs Oklahoma City Thunder Prediction

The Cavaliers are still slightly shorthanded with Max Strus still out, while the Thunder have ruled out Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Alex Caruso, and Ajay Mitchell once again. These two squads have already met once this season, with the Thunder smashing the Cavaliers by 136-104 back on Jan 19, but a lot has changed since then.

The Cavaliers have acquired Harden since that meeting, and they are coming into this contest as the hotter team, while the Thunder are still vulnerable with so many key players sitting out injured. It wouldn’t be a shock if the Thunder pulled off the minor upset at home despite their injuries, but this is a prime opportunity for the Cavaliers to steal a win over the Thunder, and I think they’re good enough to get it done at this short line.

Peter Tran's Pick: Cleveland -2.5