The Oklahoma City Thunder suffered a tough 137-132 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night, and the competition doesn’t get any easier on Friday night as the Thunder plays host to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Cavs have had a bipolar season thus far, so it’s hard to tell which version of the team you will face. After starting with an 8-1 record, Cleveland lost 5 straight before winning 7 of the next 9 to sit at 15-8. Now the Cavs sit at 30-20, winning just 5 of their last 11.
The Thunder has their work cut out for them, particularly because of Cleveland’s size in the front court. Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen are a great duo in the paint, and they have caused a lot of problems for OKC. Depending on whether or not Donovan Mitchell is available, the Thunder could have a fantastic matchup of star guards with the way Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been playing this season.
Regardless of who plays, Thunder fans should find their way to their seats on time because this has all the makings of a fantastic Friday night basketball game.
Game Details
Tip-Off: 7 PM CT
Location: Paycom Center (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
Television: Bally Sports Oklahoma
Radio: WWLS 98.1FM OKC The Sports Animal
Twitter: Follow @ZacharyLowNBA for live tweets and discussion during the game
Game Notes: Oklahoma City Thunder Official Game Notes, Cleveland Cavaliers Official Game Notes
Projected Starters
Thunder
- PG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- SG: Josh Giddey
- SF: Aaron Wiggins
- PF: Jalen Williams
- C: Kenrich Williams
Cavaliers
- PG: Darius Garland
- SG: Caris Levert
- SF: Isaac Okoro
- PF: Evan Mobley
- C: Jarrett Allen
Injury Report
Thunder
- Luguentz Dort is OUT (strained right hamstring).
- Chet Holmgren is OUT (right foot surgery).
- Eugene Omoruyi is OUT (G League — two-way).
- Aleksej Pokusevski is OUT (left tibial plateau; non-displaced fracture).
- Jeremiah Robinson-Earl is OUT (sprained right ankle).
- Lindy Waters III is OUT (G League — two-way).
Cavaliers
- Kevin Love is OUT (lower back spasms).
- Donovan Mitchell is DOUBTFUL (strained left groin).
- Isaiah Mobley is OUT (G League — two-way).
- Ricky Rubio is OUT (injury management — ACL recovery).
- Dylan Windler is OUT (sprained right ankle).
Head-to-Head
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder is 12-15 against the Cavs (6-8 at home, 6-7 on the road).
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder has won the season series against the Cavs 3 times, lost 5 times, and tied 6 times.
- The Thunder lost the season series with the Cavs 0-2 a year ago (0-1 at home, 0-1 on the road).
- The Thunder is 0-1 against the Cavs so far this season (0-0 at home, 0-1 on the road).