The Cleveland Cavaliers remain one of the most popular teams that can be found at a US Sportsbook. The Cavs are coming off back-to-back NBA Finals appearances with a title in 2016 and have the game’s most recognizable player in LeBron James. But now the Cavs are paying the price for being such a “public” team. The Oklahoma City Thunder have been a terrible board value this year although they remain a Western Conference playoff contender. The Cavaliers host the Thunder on Saturday.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Date and Time: Saturday, January 20, 2018, 3:30 pm Eastern
Location: Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio
NBA Betting Online Odds:
Thunder +3 (-110) 219½ (-110)
Cavaliers -3 (-110) 219½ (-110)
Thunder vs. Cavaliers TV Coverage: ABC
The Cleveland Cavaliers have a US Sportsbook record of 26-17 straight up but just 12-30-1 against the spread. The Cavs have gushed a flood of red ink at home. Cleveland has paid out in just three out of 20 home games. The Cavaliers have gone under the total in just nine out of 20 home games. Cleveland has gotten the cash in just one out of their last seven games. King James continues to reign with a team best 27.3 points per game. James also is the Cavs assist leader with 8.8 per game. Kevin Love is the top rebounder for Cleveland with 9.6 boards per game. Cleveland ranks an impressive fifth in the NBA for scoring offense. The problem that is preventing them from covering the spread is a defense that ranks 25th in the NBA.
Oklahoma City is 25-20 straight up and 18-27 against the spread. The Thunder have been a strong under team against the number this season. OKC is 27-18 under the total. The Thunder are 8-14 against the spread on the road. OKC has gone under the total in 13 out of 22 away games. Oklahoma City has also gone under the total in five out of their last six games. The Thunder are riding a three-game winning streak. Russell Westbrook has been dominant as the OKC scoring leader with 24.8 points per game. Westbrook also leads the Thunder with 9.9 assists and 9.7 rebounds per game.
The Cavaliers have dominated the Thunder with the best online sportsbooks. Cleveland has covered the spread in seven out of their last nine games against the Thunder. The Thunder and Cavs have gone under the total in five out of their last seven meetings. Cleveland has paid out in nine out of their last 11 home games against Oklahoma City. The Cavs and Thunder have gone under the total in nine out of their last 12 meetings at Cleveland.
Matchup to Watch
This matchup comes down to a proven champion against a mediocre wannabe team. Neither team has proven to have much US Sportsbook betting value but the Cavaliers have the better material. There is also bound to be a “market correction” as the Cavs are far below a realistic pace against the odds. Eventually the number always catches up to a team good or bad. Cleveland also has the superior head to head betting dominance in this series.
Thunder vs. Cavaliers NBA games Betting Odds Picks
Cleveland is the pick based on overall talent and their historic dominance against the Thunder.
NBA Betting Online Pick: Cavaliers
NBA Betting Online Score Prediction: Cavaliers 111, Thunder 92
