Cleveland (4-2, fourth seed) hosts Oklahoma City tonight on Peacock/NBC Sports Network, then travels there Wednesday. The Cavaliers have the better numbers this season, and the Thunder's injury list is long.
Who does Oklahoma City actually have tonight?
Six players are listed out: Alex Caruso, Nikola Topic, Chet Holmgren, Cason Wallace, Jalen Williams and Thomas Sorber. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is not on that list and is averaging 26.0 points. Holmgren and Williams have played only three games each this season. The Thunder are 4-2 with a minus-0.7 net rating, and they have lost two straight.
Does the 136-111 win in Milwaukee tell us anything?
Some of it. Cleveland led by 36 and scored 48 in the second quarter. Evan Mobley hit 11 of 16 for 27 points, and Jarrett Allen hit 12 of 16 for 25. The starters scored 85. The Bucks outscored Cleveland 35-27 in the fourth, but only because the reserves were on the floor. Six games is thin, yet Cleveland's net rating is plus-4.3.
Who is available for Cleveland?
Peyton Watson has a right hamstring issue, and the injury list shows his return as today. He plays 28.6 minutes a game, fourth on the team. Jaylon Tyson is out with a right ankle injury, with a return listed for Nov. 4, the Oklahoma City rematch. Meleek Thomas was cleared Friday and has averaged 13.0 points in three games.
How much does this week move the standings?
Cleveland is fourth at 4-2. Sixth-place Washington is 3-3 and tenth-place New York is 2-4, so the cushion is thin. After the two Thunder games come the 76ers on Nov. 6 and the Knicks on Nov. 7, both at home. Our projections give Cleveland a 67 percent chance in each Thunder game and 86 percent against Philadelphia.
When do the Cavaliers play the Thunder?
Tonight, Nov. 2, in Cleveland, on Peacock/NBC Sports Network. They play again Wednesday, Nov. 4, at Oklahoma City.
Is Peyton Watson playing against the Thunder?
He is listed with a right hamstring issue and a return date of today, Nov. 2. Check the final injury report before tipoff.
