Russell Westbrook is still averaging a triple-double for the season (Getty)
Losers of four of their last six games, the Cleveland Cavaliers host the Oklahoma City Thunder Sunday at 3:30 p.m. Eastern on ABC. Cleveland opened as an 8-point favorite, with that number dropping to either seven or 7.5 points depending upon the sports book according to OddsShark.
The point total, which began at 219 points, has increased to 220 points on most sports books with a couple listing a total of 219.5 and the Westgate staying at 219.
31-14 straight up, Tyronn Lue’s team is 18-25-2 against the spread this season. That record includes an 11-12-2 mark ATS in home games, with Cleveland having lost four straight and five of its last six overall ATS. Cleveland is also 1-5-1 ATS in its last seven home games, which doesn’t bode particularly well for today’s point spread. The Cavs have been more successful with the OVER, winning their last five and boasting a record of 25-19-1 with the OVER this season.
As for Oklahoma City, the Thunder are 28-19 straight up and 26-21 against the spread. Billy Donovan’s team has won three straight games ATS, and in road games the Thunder are 12-13 ATS. With the OVER, the Thunder are 20-25-2 this season and 4-2 in their last six games with the OVER.
Russell Westbrook leads the way offensively for Oklahoma City, but it’s important to note that the Thunder will be without sixth man Enes Kanter (broken forearm). Kanter was a key offensive option off the bench, and who steps forward in that role is a question that needs answering. Cleveland has its’ “big three” of LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love, but depth is a concern for the Cavs as well.
PREDICTION: Cleveland -7.5 with the UNDER. While Westbrook is a player who will give Cleveland fits, no Kanter robs the Thunder of a key offensive option on a team that at times has been forced to deal with inconsistent production from Westbrook’s supporting cast. Look for that to be the difference as Cleveland wins, 103-94.
