Thunder face Cavaliers for historic showdown in Cleveland
Game Info: OKC (30-5) @ CLE (31-4)
Tip-off: 6:00 PM | Broadcast: ESPN
3⚡Big⚡Things⚡
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⚡ Strength for strength
The Cavaliers boast the league's best offense. The Thunder have the league's best defense. Both could have statistical cases for best ever offense and defense, respectively, by season's end. Cleveland is 10-0 against the Western Conference, Oklahoma City is 11-0 against the East. No two 30+ win teams have met at this juncture in the season since Three Dog Night released "Never Been to Spain". Both teams are rested up for the nationally televised contest, too. Thunder, Cavs, and NBA fans have been teed up for about as exciting a regular season matchup you can ask for.
After showdowns with former champs (Milwaukee in the NBA Cup championship) and current champs (Boston, on Monday), this is the biggest boss the Thunder will face for a while.
⚡ Statement game
OKC has announced themselves as title contenders already, running roughshod over the best of the NBA without Chet Holmgren in the lineup. The Cavs are the only team with a better record than Oklahoma City, but are not being exalted to the same heights in the eyes of hoops fans to the same degree. Cleveland is at home and looking to make a statement. Having said that, OKC has its eyes on home court advantage in the playoffs, and should have no shortage of motivation to ratchet up their dominating play yet again.
⚡ Injuries
On top of Holmgren's absence, Alex Caruso remains out with his nagging hip strain, and Ajay Mitchell will miss another with an injured toe. The Cavs could be without Isaac Okoro and Sam Merrill. The Thunder aren't leaning on injury excuses in their rare losses, but Cleveland's roster is much more intact than the Thunder unit hoping to slow them down.
