Skip to content

Ad Disclosure

Cavaliers vs Thunder Predictions, Odds & Player Props (Jan 16)

Eric Rosales

By Eric Rosales in NBA Basketball

Published:


Darius Garland pumped reaction with Donovan Mitchell
Jan 8, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) and guard Darius Garland (10) celebrate after Mitchell made a three point basket during the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
  • The OKC Thunder are 2.5-point favorites vs the Cleveland Cavaliers Thursday night
  • It’s a rematch of the top teams in each conference – the Cavs won the epic first meeting
  • Below, see the Cavs vs Thunder odds, player props and predictions for Jan. 16

Just over a week after their first heavyweight tilt, the Cleveland Cavaliers (34-5, 14-3 away) and Oklahoma City Thunder (33-6, 17-2 home) meet for the final time in regular season Thursday. In this potential NBA Finals matchup, both currently sit first in their respective conferences, and are better than six games up on their closest chasers. Action gets underway at 7:30pm ET from Paycom Center in OKC. Cleveland will be set as an underdog for the first time in its last 23 games.

Cavaliers vs Thunder Odds

Team Spread Moneyline Total
Cleveland Cavaliers +2.5 (-105) +125 Over 233.5 (-105)
Oklahoma City Thunder -2.5 (-115) -150 Under 233.5 (-115)

The Thunder are slight 2.5-point favorites in the NBA odds, with the Cavaliers pegged as as +125 ‘dogs on the moneyline. The game total is sitting at 233.5. 

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK
Get Up To $1,500 Paid Back in Bonus Bets + $50 in BetMGM Reward Points

21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (US); 1-800-327-5050 (MA); 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ); 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA); 1-800-981-0023 (PR), 877-718-5543 or visit morethanagame.nc.gov (NC). See BetMGM.com for T&C. US promotional offers not available in MS, NY, NV, ON, or PR.
LOCK IN PROMO
CODE: SBD1550
CODE: SBD1550
SIGNUP BONUS
GET $1,500
BACK

+ $50 IN BETMGM REWARDS

BET NOW
 Odds as of Jan. 16 at BetMGM. Check out SBD’s BetMGM review.

The Thunder will be shorthanded up front, as big man Isaiah Hartenstein (calf) was injured last game vs Philadelphia and will be re-evaluated in one week. OKC is already without Chet Holmgren (hip).

For Cleveland, guard Ty Jerome (illness) is listed as questionable Thursday, while forward Emoni Bates (knee) has already been ruled out.

CLE vs OKC Player Props

Player Points Rebounds Assists Three-Pointers Made
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC)
32.5 (Ov -120 | Un -110) 5.5 (Ov -135 | Un +105) 5.5 (Ov -115 | Un -115) 1.5 (Ov -135 | Un +105)
Donovan Mitchell (CLE) 
21.5 (Ov -125 | Un -105) 4.5 (Ov -105 | Un -125) 5.5 (Ov +105 | Un -135) 3.5 (Ov +100 | Un -130)
Jalen Williams (OKC)
21.5 (Ov -105 | Un -125) 6.5 (Ov +114 | Un -145) 5.5 (Ov +105 | Un -135) 1.5 (Ov -120 | Un -110)
Darius Garland (CLE)
19.5 (Ov -120 | Un -110) 2.5 (Ov -130 | Un +100) 6.5 (Ov -145 | Un +114) 2.5 (Ov -135 | Un +105)
Evan Mobley (CLE)
18.5 (Ov -125 | Un -105) 10.5 (Ov +105 | Un -135) 4.5 (Ov -115 | Un -115) 1.5 (Ov +130 | Un -166)
Jarrett Allen (CLE)
13.5 (Ov -115 | Un -115) 10.5 (Ov -125 | Un -105) OFF OFF

NBA player props as of January 16 at DraftKings. Claim the DraftKings promo code to bet on all the NBA action on Thursday night. 

Not surprising that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the second-leading scorer in the NBA has the highest scoring prop at 32.5 points. One of the contenders in the NBA MVP odds, SGA has hit the 30-point plateau 15 times in his last 21 outings. He went for 31 in the first matchup.

Donovan Mitchell and Jalen Williams share the second-highest scoring number at 21.5, while Darius Garland has the top assist total at 6.5.

With the depleted Thunder frontcourt, the books have set both Cavalier big men, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, at 10.5 rebounds.

Cavaliers vs Thunder Predictions

Nothing has changed statistically since the last time these teams met in Cleveland on January 8, with the Cavaliers rolling to a 129-122 victory.

Cleveland is the second-highest scoring team in the Association at 122.3 points per game, leading the league in both field goal and 3-point shooting.

The Thunder are still the stingiest, allowing an NBA-low 103.4 points per game, holding teams to the lowest field goal and 3-point shooting splits across the league.

If you’re not including the NBA Cup final loss to the Bucks (as it doesn’t count in the standings), the Cavs are the only team to beat the Thunder over their last 19 games. Since that loss, OKC has laid the wood to the Knicks, Wizards and 76ers, winning all three with an average margin of victory of 27.3 points.

Cleveland has only two losses since Dec 1, also covering 19 games. Since beating the Thunder, though, it’s been a slight slog. They won by six over the Raptors, before their 12-game win streak was detonated against Indiana. The 108-93 loss was the Cavs’ biggest defeat of the year and lowest scoring output. They did bounce back the next game, though, dumping the Pacers by 10.

Lining up against the Thunder again might be the emotional jolt they need to get back to that level of play before the mega matchup, when they won 10 in a row, all by double figures.

OKC has the best home record in the West, and have won nine straight in their barn, while the Cavs have won and covered six straight on the road.

This should be an OKC win, but injuries are muddling it up. The Thunder are going to need to go small out of necessity, and outscore their size problems, which could lead to a shootout.

They’re equipped, having gone Over the total in four straight. Ditto the Cavs, who have cashed the Over in five of their last seven games.

Cavaliers vs Thunder Picks:

  • Over 233.5 (-105)
  • Mobley Over 10.5 assists (+105)
Eric Rosales
Eric Rosales

Sports Writer & Editor

Having worked in and around sports since 1997, Eric is truly a knowledgeable expert. The two-time journalism grad specializes in all things NBA and NFL. From TSN.ca to CTV's Olympic Broadcast Consortium, Eric's work has appeared in local and national publications alike.

NFL NBA

Recommended Reading


sports betting dime logo

Unfiltered sports betting coverage every fan needs — squeezed into your inbox before dinner.

Sign Up Now!

By subscribing you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, to receive updates and offers and confirm you are 21+ and have never self excluded from betting or gambling. Unsubscribe at any time. Please gamble responsibly. Need help? 1-800-GAMBLER