Cleveland Cavaliers favored against injury-hit Thunder

The Cleveland Cavaliers will face the Oklahoma City Thunder in Oklahoma City on Sunday, February 22, 2026, in a matchup that could preview the NBA Finals. Cleveland, third in the East with a 36-21 record, rides a seven-game win streak, while the West-leading Thunder stand at 43-14 but have struggled recently at 6-6 in their last 12 games. Key injuries sideline Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams for Oklahoma City.

The game tips off at 1 p.m. ET from the Paycom Center. According to the latest odds, Cleveland is a 2-point favorite, with the over/under set at 224.5 points. The moneyline lists the Cavaliers at -134 and the Thunder at +113.

Oklahoma City has cooled since a strong start, hampered by injuries. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is out with an abdomen issue, and Jalen Williams misses the game due to a hamstring injury. The Thunder have gone under the total in their last two contests, lacking offensive firepower without these stars.

Cleveland, meanwhile, has trended toward the under in 53% of its games this season. The SportsLine Projection Model, which simulates every NBA game 10,000 times, predicts the under will hit in 53% of simulations, projecting a total of 223 points. The model expects Chet Holmgren to be the only Thunder player scoring more than 20 points.

The model has a strong track record, returning over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on top-rated NBA picks over eight-plus seasons. It recently went 38-17 on spread picks since last season. For against-the-spread advice, the model favors one side in over 50% of simulations, though specifics require checking SportsLine.

Fans can stream the game on Fubo. This cross-conference clash highlights two top teams, with Cleveland aiming to extend its streak against a depleted but talented Thunder squad.

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