The Cleveland Cavaliers will clash with the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday in a significant matchup at Paycom Center. The Cavaliers arrive with momentum, riding a seven-game winning streak and having triumphed in 12 of their last 13 games, following a 118-113 victory over Charlotte. This success has coincided with the acquisition of James Harden from the Los Angeles Clippers earlier this month, bolstering their lineup.
In contrast, the Thunder must navigate the game without several key players, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (abdominal strain), Jalen Williams (right hamstring strain), and sixth man Ajay Mitchell (abdominal strain/left ankle sprain). Despite these challenges, Oklahoma City has shown resilience, winning three of their last four games. Head coach Mark Daigneault emphasized the need for creativity in their offensive strategy during this period of personnel adjustments.
Daigneault remarked, “We’re obviously missing some on-ball creators, so the way we’re trying to create advantages is different right now. But once we create the advantage and once we get the ball ahead, those plays aren’t any different.”
The Thunder employed this strategy effectively in their recent 105-86 win against Brooklyn, which Daigneault described as “manufactured.” He noted that while the offense started slowly, strong defensive efforts proved essential. “That’s what you want to look like on the nights that you’re a little bit ugly offensively,” he added.
As the team assesses new talent, rookie point guard Nikola Topic has made an immediate impact. “He’s got really good sense for the game. He goes in there and acts like he belongs,” Daigneault said, acknowledging Topic’s impressive confidence early in his career. Recent addition Jared McCain is also establishing himself, having scored a season-high 21 points against the Nets. McCain highlighted the importance of team cohesion, stating, “Good stuff is going to happen once we get the ball moving.”
McCain expressed his comfort with the organization, noting, “I’m very comfortable with everybody now… I’m just super thankful to be in this organization.” Daigneault reiterated that the current circumstances provide valuable opportunities for evaluation, stating, “It is giving us a window to take a look at those guys in those roles. We’re trying to take advantage of that.”
The Cavaliers’ recent success can be attributed not only to Harden’s arrival but also to the contributions of their bench. Head coach Kenny Atkinson praised the second unit, calling it “our energy unit.” He explained, “All of a sudden it just changes the whole speed of the game… it’s nice to have that change of pace.”
A notable defensive matchup will be between Lu Dort and Donovan Mitchell. Dort has historically performed well against Mitchell, who has struggled, shooting just 11-for-49 in his last three games against Oklahoma City.
Sunday’s game marks the beginning of a challenging stretch for the Thunder, who will face 10 of their next 12 opponents from the top eight teams in their respective conferences. In their earlier meeting on January 19, Oklahoma City dominated, winning by 32 points. However, with the Cavaliers now among the league’s hottest teams, the upcoming contest promises to be a compelling clash.
As both teams gear up for this important matchup, fans can expect an exciting game filled with intensity and strategic play. The outcome will have implications not only for the standings but also for the momentum each team hopes to carry into the heart of the season.
