Thunder vs. Cavaliers: Talk behind the showdown between the NBA’s best

Two of the NBA’s best teams, the Oklahoma City Thunder and Cleveland Cavaliers, will meet on Wednesday (7 p.m. on ESPN).

Cleveland boasts a 31-4 record, best in the league, while Oklahoma City is right behind the Cavs at 30-5. It will mark the first time these two teams have played this late in a season in which both are in first place in their respective conferences.

This is also just the second season in NBA history in which multiple teams started 30-5 or better. It also happened in 1971-72, when the Los Angeles Lakers started 32-3 and the Milwaukee Bucks started 30-5.

Here’s a look at the key numbers when the Thunder and Cavaliers meet.

Rare matchup of winning percentages

Both teams have a winning percentage above .850 heading into Wednesday. With the teams having played a total of 70 games, it is the third-most combined games played entering a matchup between two teams with a .850 or better winning percentage.

In 2016, the Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs surpassed that mark twice, first meeting at 88 games played between them and later at 136. Oklahoma City and Cleveland will meet again on January 16.

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Hot streaks

The two sides enter the matchup on hot streaks – especially the Thunder. They are on a franchise-record 15-game winning streak — their loss in the NBA Cup Finals does not count toward the regular season.

The Cavaliers, on the other hand, are on a 10-game winning streak with each victory coming in double digits, making it the longest streak in NBA history.

Wednesday marks the third time in NBA history that teams each rider double-digit winning streaks. It is the first time since the Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers matched each other in 2000.

Oklahoma City will also be the third team in NBA history to take on the team with the NBA’s best record while riding a 15-game winning streak. The Phoenix Suns last did it in November 2021, defeating the Warriors to extend their winning streak.

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Point differences forecast gold

It has been a dominant season so far for the Thunder and Cavaliers.

Oklahoma City boasts a league-leading PPG differential of plus-12.1, which would rank as the fourth-highest ever in a single season. Cleveland is right behind them with an average point differential of plus-11.8.

If that margin holds, it’s a strong sign for both sides. Every team in NBA history with a PPG differential of plus-11.3 or better in a season won the NBA championship, including last season’s Boston Celtics (plus-11.4).

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Getting it done in different ways

Although winning has been the common denominator for Oklahoma City and Cleveland, they have done their best work on opposite ends of the floor. The Thunder lead the NBA in defensive efficiency with 102.7, while the Cavaliers are first in offensive efficiency with 121.3.

Oklahoma City leads the league in opposing points per game. game, field goal percentage and 3-point field goal percentage, among other defensive categories. Cleveland is first in points per game. game, field goal percentage and 3-point field goal percentage.

The Thunder have also held their opponents under 100 points a league-high 16 times this season. Guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has played a key role in their defensive dominance – he is the only player in the NBA averaging two steals per game. match and one block per match.

It’s no different for the Cavaliers on the offensive end, led by guards Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell. They are on pace to become the first team in NBA history to attempt more than 40 plus 3 points per game. match and hits over 40% of them.

ESPN Research contributed to this story.