Short-handed Thunder visit Cavaliers with league's 23rd-ranked offense

The Oklahoma City Thunder (4-2), missing six players and ranked 23rd in offense, visit the Cleveland Cavaliers (4-2) on Monday, November 2, in a game where Cleveland's top-10 scoring meets the Thunder's defense.

Oklahoma City scores 106.3 points per 100 possessions, 23rd in the league. Shooting explains it: an effective field-goal percentage of 49.4 ranks 28th, and only one team takes a smaller share of its shots from three.

Cleveland scores 114.4 per 100, eighth, but runs into the Thunder's strength. Oklahoma City allows 106.8, ninth, and holds opponents to a 51.0 effective field-goal percentage, sixth in the league.

Possessions should be scarce. The Thunder play at the third-slowest pace and rank fourth in turnover percentage. Cleveland forces turnovers less often than all but five teams, so the Cavaliers will have to win in the half court.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander carries the Thunder at 26 points a game on 46.5% shooting. Ajay Mitchell leads them with 3.8 assists.

Donovan Mitchell answers with 22.7 points a game for Cleveland. James Harden adds 6.3 assists, and Jarrett Allen anchors the glass with 9.2 rebounds and 1.8 blocks.

Chet Holmgren, the Thunder's leader with 9.3 rebounds and three blocks a game, is out and not expected back until Saturday, January 2. Jalen Williams, who plays 31.3 minutes a game, and Cason Wallace, at 2.3 steals, are out until Tuesday, March 2.

Alex Caruso, Nikola Topic and Thomas Sorber are also out, all expected back Wednesday, November 4. That leaves Oklahoma City thin at guard and in the frontcourt at once.

Cleveland has its own gaps. Peyton Watson, at 28.6 minutes a game, is questionable. Jaylon Tyson, Nae'Qwan Tomlin and centers Khalifa Diop and Ernest Udeh, Jr. are out.

The Thunder arrive off two road losses, 119-98 at Houston and 120-96 at Dallas. Cleveland won its last game 136-111 at Milwaukee, after close wins of 127-125 over Minnesota and 125-121 over Brooklyn.

Tip-off is at 7:00 p.m. ET in Cleveland. Sportsbooks' prices give the Cavaliers a 62% chance to win; our projection puts it at 67%, with Cleveland by 5.6 points.