Cavaliers vs Thunder Prediction, Picks & Odds for Today’s NBA Game

Naessens' prediction: Cavs beat shorthanded Thunder.

Phil Naessens - Contributor at Covers.com
Phil Naessens • Betting Analyst
Feb 22, 2026 • 07:00 ET • 4 min read

NBA

Match starts: 4 hrs
CLE
55 %
OKC
45 %
EXPERT PICK - MONEYLINE
Cleveland -130 Cleveland -130
Read Analysis
Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden (1) brings the ball up court.
Photo By - Reuters Connect. Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden (1) brings the ball up court.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are riding a seven-game winning streak when they visit Paycom Center and the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Cavs have also won five straight on the road, and my Cavaliers vs. Thunder predictions and NBA picks are backing Cleveland over shorthanded OKC on Sunday, February 22. 

Cavaliers vs Thunder prediction

Cavaliers vs Thunder best bet: Cavaliers moneyline (-130)

The Cleveland Cavaliers have the edge as the Oklahoma City Thunder are missing two-way impact players in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams.

SGA and Williams aren’t just scorers. Their absence weakens the perimeter defense, a major concern given Donovan Mitchell and James Harden's recent hot hands.

Cleveland seeks an eighth straight win and is 5-0 with Harden in the lineup. The Cavaliers are the deeper, more complete group and are chasing a sixth consecutive road victory.

Rather than lay the points, I’ll back them on the moneyline against the shorthanded Thunder.

Enjoying Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account Add as a preferred source on Google

Cavaliers vs Thunder same-game parlay

Evan Mobley has cleared his combo prop in ten of 11 games and had 21 points, rebounds, and assists in 19 minutes against Charlotte. 

James Harden’s playmaking has stabilized Cleveland’s offense, and he’s dished at least nine in two of his five games with the Cavs, and twice he dropped eight. 

Cavaliers vs Thunder SGP

  • Cavaliers moneyline
  • Mobley Over 21.5 P/R/A
  • Harden Over 8.5 assists

Our "from downtown" SGP: Deep'n delicious 

Jared McCain has knocked down two or more triples in four of seven games since joining the Thunder. 

Cavaliers vs Thunder SGP

  • Cavaliers moneyline
  • Mobley Over 21.5 P/R/A
  • Harden Over 8.5 assists
  • McCain Over 1.5 threes

Cavaliers vs Thunder odds

  • Spread: Cavaliers -1 | Thunder +1
  • Moneyline: Cavaliers -115 | Thunder -105
  • Over/Under: Over 223.5 | Under 223.5

Cavaliers vs Thunder betting trend to know

The Cleveland Cavaliers have hit the Moneyline in 14 of their last 16 games (+12.10 Units / 25% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Cavaliers vs. Thunder.

How to watch Cavaliers vs Thunder

Location Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
Date Sunday, February 22, 2026
Tip-off 1:00 p.m. ET
TV ABC

Cavaliers vs Thunder latest injuries

Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.

Pages related to this topic

Phil Naessens
Betting Analyst

Prior to joining Covers in 2022, Phil Naessens spent 38 years as a resident tennis pro in Las Vegas, Mykonos, and Corfu, Greece. He’s the past host of the Phil Naessens Show (Armed Forces Radio), and currently hosts the Crush and Rush Tennis Podcast.

Phil is the author of the Betting 101 series (MLB, NFL, NCAAF, and Tennis) and has written for numerous publications, including Advance Local, SB Nation, FanSided, and Lenny Melnick Fantasy Sports. 

His favorite sports to bet on are tennis, MLB, WNBA, Euro men’s and women’s hoops, NCAA sports, NFL, and the NBA. Phil has numerous betting accounts in the US and Europe, and his best advice is to line shop for the best value possible.

Popular Content

Covers is verified safe by: Evalon Logo GPWA Logo GDPR Logo GeoTrust Logo Evalon Logo