Game #58 Preview | Cleveland Cavaliers

The Thunder GuysFebruary 13, 2018 No Comments

Tip-Off: 7 PM CT

Location: Chesapeake Energy Arena (Oklahoma City, OK)

Television: TNT, FSOK

Radio: WWLS 98.1FM OKC The Sports Animal

Twitter: Follow @TheThunderGuys for live-tweets during the game

Despite knocking off the Golden State Warriors at Oracle last week, suffering two losses to the Los Angeles Lakers was brutal for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Picking up a dominant win at home against the Memphis Grizzlies, despite the absences of Russell Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony, was important for the Thunder moving forward.

The Cleveland Cavaliers enter today’s game riding a three-game winning streak, and this team looks very different than it did just a few weeks ago in Cleveland. The Cavs made a big splash on the final day of the NBA Trade Deadline, so the Thunder need to be ready for an intense matchup.

As of now, Russell Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony are questionable to play tonight, but there will be an update later this afternoon after the Thunder go through their morning shootaround.

Projected Starters

Thunder

  • PG: Russell Westbrook
  • SG: Josh Huestis
  • SF: Paul George
  • PF: Carmelo Anthony
  • C: Steven Adams

Cavaliers

  • PG: George Hill
  • SG: J.R. Smith
  • SF: Lebron James
  • PF: Cedi Osman
  • C: Tristan Thompson

Injuries

Thunder

  • Russell Westbrook (sprained ankle) is QUESTIONABLE.
  • Carmelo Anthony (sprained ankle) is QUESTIONABLE.
  • Andre Roberson (rupture left patellar tendon) is OUT.

Cavaliers

  • Kevin Love (left hand fracture) is OUT.

Head-to-Head

  • Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder is 7-11 against the Cavs (4-5 at home, 3-6 on the road).
  • Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder has won the season series against the Cavs once, lost four times, and tied four times.
  • The Thunder is 1-0 against the Cavs so far this season (0-0 at home, 1-0 on the road).
  • The Thunder split the season series with the Cavs 1-1 a year ago.
  • The Thunder recorded a season-high 148 points and 37 assists against the Cavaliers in Cleveland on January 20th.

Game Notes

  • Oklahoma City has won two of the last three games, but they have lost five of the last seven, while Cleveland has won three games in a row.
  • Oklahoma City is 5-5 in the last 10 games, while Cleveland is 6-4.
  • Oklahoma City is 20-9 at home, while Cleveland is 13-15 on the road.
  • Oklahoma City is 15-8 against the Eastern Conference, while Cleveland is 8-10 against the Western Conference.
  • Oklahoma City is 18-16 in games coming off of one day of rest, while Cleveland is 18-8 in the same situation.

Article written by Zack Low. Follow @TheThunderGuys on Twitter & Instagram, and like us on Facebook.

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