In what is arguably the most anticipated matchup of the 2024-25 NBA campaign, the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Oklahoma City Thunder headline Thursday's action with a cracking contest at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse.
Having won 10 and 15 games on the bounce respectively, the hosts and visitors are at the top of their respective conferences with a near-identical record, and a thrilling encounter is expected in Ohio.
Match preview
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While the scoreline does not tell the full story, the Cleveland Cavaliers were too powerful for the Charlotte Hornets as they claimed a routine 115-105 triumph to maintain their perfect start to the New Year.
Kenny Atkinson's men led by as many as 24 points at one stage in the opening 24 minutes, but an unusually complacent second-half display saw them relinquish over half of their advantage, although without necessarily putting them under threat of losing their lead completely.
With 25 points racked up on an impressive 8-14 shooting from the field, guard Darius Garland led the way in scoring for the Cavs, who had four of their five starters on the day tallying at least 17 points.
Not only have the Eastern Conference leaders won their last 10 matches, but they have done so with a double-digit margin on each occasion and have opened up a significant advantage on the Boston Celtics at the top of the standings.
Off the back of recently kicking off their four-game homestretch with a victory, Thursday's hosts will now set out to get the job done in front of their fans before welcoming the Toronto Raptors and the Indiana Pacers.
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The Oklahoma City Thunder recorded their most impressive win of the season so far by beating defending champions Boston Celtics 105-92 when the teams went head-to-head at the PayCom Center on Sunday evening.
Down by 10 points at half time, Mark Daigneault's men produced the best defensive display in a half this term by holding the Celtics to just 27 points while also putting up 50 at the other end to complete a remarkable turnaround.
MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander certainly did his chances of winning the prestigious award a world of good by posting up 33 points and 11 rebounds (both game highs) to go along with six assists.
Courtesy of a franchise-record 15th consecutive win last time out, the Thunder are seven games clear of the Houston Rockets at the top of the West and are well on course to clinch the number-one seed for the second season in a row.
With a host of key players like Chet Holmgren and Alex Caruso still to return, the Thunder are undoubtedly legitimate championship contenders and now have the opportunity to put on another show against one of their fellow title aspirants.
Thanks to their solid defence, which has given up the fewest points per game so far (103), Thursday's visitors have not had to be as lethal offensively as their hosts, who have averaged 122.5 points per game, only behind the Memphis Grizzlies (123.1).
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Team News
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Isaac Okoro is unavailable for the Cavaliers due to a sprained acromioclavicular joint in his right shoulder, although the small forward is drawing increasingly closer to a return to action.
Sam Merrill was hauled off against the Lakers on New Year's Day due to an ankle issue, and the 28-year-old remains a huge doubt to feature on Thursday.
Two-way guard Luke Travers is a guaranteed absentee for this one having not featured since mid-December due to an ankle problem he picked up on G-League duty.
Chet Holmgren has missed around two months of action for the Thunder with a right iliac hip fracture, although he is set to be assessed in the coming days to determine his readiness to return to action.
Meanwhile, Alex Caruso and Alex Ducas are set to miss due to hip and back injuries respectively, while Adam Flagler continues to nurse a metacarpal fracture.
Ajay Mitchell could be back in time to suit up here after missing the win over the Celtics through a sprained toe, but Nikola Topic is set to sit out the remainder of the season having suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
Cleveland Cavaliers possible starting five:
Garland, Mitchell; Wade, Mobley; Allen
Oklahoma City Thunder possible starting five:
Gilgeous-Alexander, Dort; Wallace, Williams; Hartenstein
We say: Cavaliers to win by 4+ points
With the two most in-form sides going head-to-head, there is little to choose between them, and Thursday's game could easily swing either way.
That said, we are tipping the Cavaliers to make home advantage count and continue their winning streak at the expense of the Thunder's.
Adepoju Marvellous
