What To Expect In Cavaliers’ 2023-24 Home Opener Vs. Thunder

Cleveland opens its 2023-24 home schedule against Oklahoma City, as both teams seek a 2-0 start to the season. With a win, the Cavaliers would start 2-0 for the first time since the 2020-21 campaign.

On Wednesday night, the Cleveland Cavaliers began their 2023-24 season with a thrilling road victory over the Brooklyn Nets.

With the triumph, the Cavaliers earned their first season-opening road win in nearly 23 years.

Now that the Oklahoma City Thunder are in town, here are four things to expect in tonight's home-opener.

1. An All-NBA Duel

The Cavaliers’ Donovan Mitchell (Second Team) and Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (First Team) each made their first All-NBA team last year.

Cleveland’s guard opened the season with 27 points, five rebounds, six assists and four steals against Brooklyn, while Oklahoma City’s guard had 31 points, five rebounds, 10 assists and two blocks in a win over the Chicago Bulls.

2. A Marquee Big-Man Battle

A pair of top-five NBA Draft selections will go at it in the frontcourt tonight: the Cavaliers’ Evan Mobley, and the Thunder’s Chet Holmgren.

Mobley was the third overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, while Holmgren was selected second overall the following year.

With their all-around skill sets, the young seven-footers should have a fun battle to watch.

Dec 10, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives to the basket against Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (4) during the first half at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse / © Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

3. A Three-Point Barrage

In their respective season-openers, the Cavaliers shot 17-for-43 from deep, while the Thunder shot 19-for-39 from downtown.

Against Chicago, Oklahoma City had eight players make at least two threes for the first time in franchise history.

Against Brooklyn, Cleveland’s Max Strus made seven triples in his Cavaliers debut, which tied an NBA record in a player’s first game with a new team.

4. A Raucous Crowd

Last season, Cleveland had the third-best home record in the Eastern Conference (31-10).

With the Cavaliers trying to start 2-0 for the first time since the 2020-21 season, their home crowd should be fired up for the team’s home opener.

The Cavaliers and Thunder both seek a 2-0 start to the season.