Cleveland Cavaliers (4-3, 1-2 on the road) visit Oklahoma City Thunder (5-2, 3-0 at home) at Paycom Center, tip-off Thursday, November 5, 9:00 AM PH time. Over the last five games Cavaliers have scored 118.1 and allowed 112.5 points per 100 possessions; Thunder sit at 108.4 and 112.8.
What are the projected starting lineups for Cavaliers vs Thunder?
Projected = the starting five from each team’s most recent game (ESPN box score), with any player ruled Out swapped for the highest-minute bench player at the same position in that game. Teams confirm starters about 30 minutes before tip-off.
Cleveland Cavaliers (projected; based on Nov 3 starters)
| Pos | Player | PPG | RPG | APG | FG% | 3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | Jarrett Allen | 15.1 | 8.7 | 1.4 | 63.1 | 66.7 |
| C | Evan Mobley | 19.1 | 8.0 | 3.6 | 57.6 | 53.3 |
| G | James Harden | 16.3 | 4.7 | 6.3 | 39.1 | 36.0 |
| G | Donovan Mitchell | 21.9 | 5.3 | 5.4 | 46.8 | 39.1 |
| G | Meleek Thomas | 14.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 48.9 | 47.6 |
Oklahoma City Thunder (projected; based on Nov 3 starters)
| Pos | Player | PPG | RPG | APG | FG% | 3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F | Jaylin Williams | 2.9 | 4.0 | 1.6 | 20.0 | 20.8 |
| C | Isaiah Hartenstein | 8.9 | 9.9 | 2.3 | 48.1 | 0.0 |
| G | Kenrich Williams | 6.0 | 3.4 | 0.7 | 48.4 | 47.4 |
| G | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | 28.4 | 4.3 | 4.0 | 45.1 | 33.3 |
| G | Ajay Mitchell | 17.0 | 3.6 | 3.4 | 50.0 | 19.0 |
Season averages: ESPN player pages, as of Nov 4, 1:50 AM PH time.
Who is injured for Cavaliers vs Thunder, and how does it change the rotation?
Cleveland Cavaliers
| Player | Status | Injury | PPG / MPG | Est. return | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peyton Watson | Questionable (game-time decision) | Right Hamstring Soreness | 10.8 / 28.5 | 2026-11-04 | Nov 3 |
| Jaylon Tyson | Questionable (game-time decision) | Right Ankle Sprain | 7.8 / 20.8 | 2026-11-04 | Nov 3 |
Impact: Game-time decisions: Peyton Watson (10.8 ppg), Jaylon Tyson (7.8 ppg). If they play, expect a minutes limit; if not, the rotation shortens further.
Oklahoma City Thunder
| Player | Status | Injury | PPG / MPG | Est. return | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas Sorber | Questionable (game-time decision) | Knee | – / – | 2026-11-04 | Nov 2 |
| Cason Wallace | Out | Left Shoulder Surgery | 6.3 / 16.3 | 2027-03-02 | Oct 31 |
| Chet Holmgren | Out | Right Knee | 12.0 / 30.0 | 2027-01-02 | Oct 31 |
| Jalen Williams | Out | Left Leg Fracture | 13.7 / 31.7 | 2027-03-02 | Oct 29 |
| Alex Caruso | Questionable (game-time decision) | Right Ankle | 9.3 / 19.0 | 2026-11-04 | Oct 29 |
Impact: Confirmed absences take 32.0 points per game of season scoring off the floor for Thunder. Game-time decisions: Thomas Sorber, Alex Caruso (9.3 ppg). If they play, expect a minutes limit; if not, the rotation shortens further.
Source: ESPN injury feed in the game summary, as of Nov 4, 1:50 AM PH time. “Questionable” reflects ESPN’s game-time-decision tag; the official NBA injury report is final.
How are Cavaliers and Thunder playing right now?
Cleveland Cavaliers: 3-2 in last 5 · 121.4 scored / 115.6 allowed per game · pace 100.6 · ORtg 118.1 · DRtg 112.5
| Date | Opp | Result | Pace |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 27 | vs MIN | W 127-125 | 101.5 |
| Oct 29 | vs WSH | W 121-111 | 97.1 |
| Oct 30 | @ ATL | L 111-114 | 99.3 |
| Nov 1 | @ MIL | W 136-111 | 105.9 |
| Nov 3 | vs OKC | L 112-117 | 99.3 |
Oklahoma City Thunder: 3-2 in last 5 · 108.8 scored / 113.2 allowed per game · pace 100.4 · ORtg 108.4 · DRtg 112.8
| Date | Opp | Result | Pace |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 26 | vs LAC | W 108-101 | 104.5 |
| Oct 27 | vs PHX | W 125-114 | 102.4 |
| Oct 29 | @ DAL | L 96-120 | 99.4 |
| Nov 1 | @ HOU | L 98-119 | 96.4 |
| Nov 3 | @ CLE | W 117-112 | 99.3 |
Home/away: Cavaliers are 1-2 on the road; Thunder are 3-0 at home (ESPN records).
Pace = possessions per 48 minutes; possessions = FGA − OREB + TOV + 0.44 × FTA, averaged for both teams, from each ESPN box score. ORtg/DRtg = points scored/allowed per 100 possessions over these five games.
How do the Cavaliers and Thunder compare statistically?
| Season stat | Cavaliers | Thunder |
|---|---|---|
| Points per game | 119.7 | 108.0 |
| Opp. points per game | 116.1 | 107.7 |
| FG% | 47 | 44 |
| 3P% | 37 | 32 |
| Rebounds | 47.9 | 46.6 |
| Assists | 29.0 | 21.1 |
| Turnovers | 14.0 | 13.7 |
| Steals | 7.6 | 7.9 |
| Blocks | 6.0 | 6.0 |
ESPN team statistics, as of Nov 4, 1:50 AM PH time.
What happened when Cavaliers and Thunder last met?
- Nov 3, 2026: OKC 117 @ CLE 112
Season series: OKC leads series 1-0 (ESPN).
Which matchups decide Cavaliers vs Thunder?
Donovan Mitchell vs Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Donovan Mitchell: 21.9 pts, 5.3 reb, 5.4 ast, 46.8 FG%, 39.1 3P% in 7 games. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 28.4 pts, 4.3 reb, 4.0 ast, 45.1 FG%, 33.3 3P% in 7 games. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander carries the bigger scoring load; the matchup tilts to whichever defence forces him into lower-percentage shots.
Evan Mobley vs Isaiah Hartenstein
Evan Mobley: 19.1 pts, 8.0 reb, 3.6 ast, 57.6 FG%, 53.3 3P% in 7 games. Isaiah Hartenstein: 8.9 pts, 9.9 reb, 2.3 ast, 48.1 FG%, 0.0 3P% in 7 games. Evan Mobley carries the bigger scoring load; the matchup tilts to whichever defence forces him into lower-percentage shots.
What will decide the game tactically?
- Tempo. Cavaliers have played faster over the last five (100.6 vs 100.4 possessions per 48). A game near the faster number favours the deeper bench; a grind favours the half-court team.
- Form gap. Net rating over the last five: Cavaliers +5.6, Thunder -4.4 per 100 possessions.
- Perimeter. Season 3P%: Cavaliers 37, Thunder 32. The team that wins the three-point volume battle usually covers the variance in a close line.
- Ball security. Turnovers per game: Cavaliers 14.0, Thunder 13.7; live-ball turnovers feed transition points.
- Glass. Rebounds per game: Cavaliers 47.9, Thunder 46.6.
- Availability. Thunder without Cason Wallace, Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams. Check final status before tip-off; it moves the line more than any matchup.
What is the betting angle?
As of Nov 4, 1:50 AM PH time, Draft Kings (via ESPN’s scoreboard feed) lists OKC -2.5 with a total of 228.5. Our projection lands on 227 combined points, 1.4 below the posted total. Lines move on injury news; compare the number at tip-off with the one here before acting.
Score prediction
Editorial prediction: Cavaliers 115 – Thunder 112 (Cavaliers by 4).
Method: expected pace = average of both teams’ last-five pace (100.5); each side’s points = pace × (own ORtg + opponent DRtg) ÷ 200, with 1.5 points of home-court edge split between the sides. ESPN’s matchup predictor gives Cavaliers 38% and Thunder 62%. Five-game samples are noisy and injuries listed above are not modelled. This is an editorial estimate, not a guarantee or betting advice.
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What other PBA and NBA games are coming up?
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Browse every preview on our NBA previews and PBA previews pages, or the full Sports section.
Frequently asked questions
What time is Cleveland Cavaliers vs Oklahoma City Thunder in the Philippines?
Tip-off is Thursday, November 5 at 9:00 AM Philippine time (UTC+8), per ESPN's schedule feed.
Who is injured for Cleveland Cavaliers vs Oklahoma City Thunder?
As of Nov 4, 1:50 AM PH time (ESPN): Cleveland Cavaliers: Peyton Watson (Questionable), Jaylon Tyson (Questionable); Oklahoma City Thunder: Thomas Sorber (Questionable), Cason Wallace (Out), Chet Holmgren (Out), Jalen Williams (Out), Alex Caruso (Questionable). Check the official NBA injury report before tip-off.
What is the Cleveland Cavaliers vs Oklahoma City Thunder prediction?
Our editorial projection is Cavaliers 115, Thunder 112, built from each team's last-five pace and ratings. It is an estimate, not a guarantee.
Where is Cleveland Cavaliers vs Oklahoma City Thunder played?
At Paycom Center.
About this article
Written by the GTAYA Editorial Team from the sources below, checked on November 4, 2026 1:50 AM PH time. All figures were fetched on Nov 4, 1:50 AM PH time; derived figures (pace, ratings, projection) show their formula. Injury statuses can change after publication. Charts are generated by gtaya.life from the figures above. Poster: player photos are freely licensed Wikimedia Commons images (cropped); where no licensed photo was found we show the player or team name only. Team logos are shown only to identify the teams (sources listed below); they remain the trademarks of their owners and do not imply any endorsement of, or affiliation with, gtaya.life or GTAYA.
- ESPN game summary (injuries, last five, season series, team stats, leaders)
- ESPN scoreboard odds feed (Draft Kings)
- ESPN player pages (season averages)
- Official NBA injury report
- GTaya VIP Ascend Club terms (sports cash-back rates), gtaya.com
- Cleveland Cavaliers logo (ESPN team data feed)
- Oklahoma City Thunder logo (ESPN team data feed)
- Photo of Evan Mobley: Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
- Photo of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: Sandro Halank, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
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