The Cleveland Cavaliers red-hot, while the  Oklahoma City Thunder are banged up, though still dangerous at home.

Catch the game early tomorrow, Monday, at 2:00 AM,  Manila time.

AWAY: Cleveland Cavaliers (36-21, 17-10 ROAD)

Projected starting five:

  • James Harden
  • Donovan Mitchell
  • Dean Wade
  • Evan Mobley
  • Jarrett Allen

Cleveland rolls into Oklahoma City as one of the hottest teams in basketball, winning 14 of its last 16 games with a dominant +10.8 net rating. The vibes have only improved since the blockbuster swap that brought James Harden to town. The Cavs are 5-0 since the deal, and the fit has been seamless.

Harden is averaging 18.4 points and 8.6 assists in his first five games with Cleveland, giving the offense a new layer of control and creativity. Donovan Mitchell has thrived alongside him, pouring in 29.2 points per game on 51% shooting in that span. With a true table-setter orchestrating, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen are feasting on cleaner looks and easier opportunities around the rim.

Momentum and belief are powerful this time of year, and the Cavs have both. After falling 136-104 to OKC last January 20, this is a chance to measure their new-look roster against the defending champs – this time with far more firepower and confidence.

HOME:  Oklahoma City Thunder  (43-14, 23-6 HOME)

Projected starting five:

  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (out) / Nikola Topic
  • Lu Dort
  • Jalen Williams (out) / Aaron Wiggins
  • Chet Holmgren
  • Isaiah Hartenstein

The defending champions took the first meeting convincingly, but this rematch comes under very different circumstances. Oklahoma City is undermanned, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Alex Caruso, and Ajay Mitchell all sidelined. Despite that, the Thunder have stayed competitive, going 6-6 over their last 12 with a +5.0 net rating.

This stretch presents a leadership opportunity for Chet Holmgren, who will need to anchor both ends of the floor. Isaiah Hartenstein faces a physical challenge against Cleveland’s twin towers, while defensive tone-setters Lu Dort and Cason Wallace loom as potential X-factors on the perimeter. Slowing Mitchell and disrupting Harden’s rhythm will be priority No. 1.

New acquisition Jared McCain is coming off a hot performance, and OKC will hope he can sustain that spark. Even shorthanded, the Thunder’s structure and defensive discipline make them dangerous, especially at home.

PICKS

Spread: Cavaliers (-3.5)

Over/Under: Over (225.5)