Cleveland at Oklahoma City Betting Preview
On February 4, 2026, Cleveland made a "win-now" move by trading 26-year-old All-Star Darius Garland and draft considerations to the Los Angeles Clippers for the 36-year-old James Harden. The trade has had an early impact.
The Cavs are 3-0 in games featuring Harden. In his first three outings, Harden has averaged 19.3 points and 8.7 assists, immediately elevating the play of center Jarrett Allen.
The Cavaliers are one of the hottest teams in the NBA, currently holding the 4th seed in the Eastern Conference. The team has undergone a significant mid-season transformation following the blockbuster trade. The Cavs have won 10 of their last 11 games and are currently on a five-game winning streak.
The Oklahoma City Thunder holds the 1st seed in the Western Conference. As the reigning NBA champions, they have maintained a dominant pace, outscoring opponents by an average of 11.6 points per game, the best net rating in the league. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the frontrunner for MVP, is averaging 31.8 PPG while shooting a career-high 55.4% from the field.
The Thunder host the Cavaliers on Sunday afternoon on ABC. Gambling traffic and viewership will be higher than normal.
Cavaliers at Thunder Preview
On Sunday, February 22, 2026, the Oklahoma City Thunder will host the Cleveland Cavaliers at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, OK. Tipoff is at 1 p.m. ET, with ABC providing television coverage.
Public Betting Odds Factors
- Oklahoma City's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is currently managing an abdominal injury that kept him out of All-Star weekend; his status for February 22 is a critical variable for NBA spread movement.
- Cleveland expects the return of Evan Mobley (calf strain) for this game.
Cavaliers at Thunder Predictions
Handicapping Factors to Consider
- Cleveland is 3–0 with Harden, part of a larger five-game winning streak.
- Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (abdomen) and Jalen Williams (hamstring) (check status) were both sidelined just before the break.
- Williams is a major factor; OKC is significantly more vulnerable when his secondary scoring (17.5 PPG) is missing.
- Cleveland is rejuvenated as a new team with Harden and will offer more value than it did before he arrived.
Cavaliers at Thunder Prime Best Bet: Cleveland Cavaliers
Cavaliers at Thunder Betting Tips
Cleveland Cavaliers
- Cleveland ranks 2nd in scoring offense, 9th in field goal percentage, 15th in 3-point field goal percentage, 17th in free throw percentage, and 13th in offensive rebounding.
- The Cavaliers rank 17th in scoring defense, 10th in field goal percentage allowed, 28th in 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 16th in defensive rebounding.
- The Cavaliers are 34-21 straight up, 23-32 against the spread, and 26-29 over/under the total.
- Late on, Cleveland has covered the NBA betting odds in seven out of their last nine games.
- While the Cavaliers have gone over the total in four of their previous six matchups.
Oklahoma City Thunder
- Oklahoma City ranks 3rd in scoring offense, 3rd in field goal percentage, 13th in 3-point field goal percentage, 3rd in free throw percentage, and 15th in offensive rebounding.
- The Thunder rank 1st in scoring defense, 1st in field goal percentage allowed, 26th in 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 24th in defensive rebounding.
- The Thunder is 42-14 straight up, 27-28-1 against the spread, and 30-26 over/under the total.
- Oklahoma City has covered two out of its last three games.
- While the Thunder have gone over the total in four of their previous five matchups.
- Cavaliers at Thunder Head-to-Head and Key Stats
- Oklahoma City covered the spread in five out of its last six games against Cleveland.
- The Cavaliers and Thunder went over the total in their four most recent meetings.
- Specifically at Oklahoma City, the Cavaliers failed to cover their last four visits against the Thunder.
- Four of the last five games between the Thunder and Cavaliers at Oklahoma City went over the total.
