NBA
TOP PICK
2026-02-22 · Morning Edition
LOSS
Cavaliers vs. Thunder
Cavaliers -2.5
ANALYSIS
We are backing Cleveland’s interior dominance as they face an Oklahoma City squad missing its primary engines, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams, due to injury. With Evan Mobley returning from rest to rejoin a surging Jarrett Allen—who is averaging 23 points and 12 rebounds this month—the Cavaliers are primed to exploit a Thunder rotation that ranks as the league's second-worst offensive rebounding unit. This size advantage, bolstered by the recent addition of James Harden to the Cavs' backcourt, should allow Cleveland to maintain a high floor against shooting variance and extend their seven-game winning streak.
Key Data
Cavaliers +7.2 Net Rating; OKC -2.4 Rebound Margin vs Top 5 defensive seeds.
OUTCOME
Cleveland Cavaliers 113 - Oklahoma City Thunder 121
Graded from ESPN final score
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Full analysis and discussion of this pick in the 2026-02-22 morning edition.