Cavaliers vs. Thunder Recap: Mitchell, Harden and Cavs Total Cash

The Thunder beat the Cavaliers 124-116 on Wednesday night, and Cleveland never held a lead. Oklahoma City opened with a 37-20 first quarter, led 60-44 at the half and took an 88-74 lead into the fourth, with its biggest lead reaching 25. The Cavaliers won the fourth quarter 42-36 to make the final score closer. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 42 points with eight assists and Ajay Mitchell added 23 for the Thunder. Donovan Mitchell led Cleveland with 27, James Harden had 19 points, nine rebounds and six assists, and Evan Mobley posted 16 and 10. Eight DARIMARKET plays cashed on this game: two Mitchell props, three Harden props, a Mobley combo, the Cavaliers team total and an Alex Caruso rebound alt.

What cashed

ALT: Donovan Mitchell 15+ points (-670 at FanDuel): CASHED - Our read: Mitchell had scored 15+ in all seven games this season, averaging 21.9. - What happened: He scored 27 on 10-17 shooting with five threes, 12.5 over the line. - Worth watching: He took 10 threes in 33 minutes, the kind of volume that keeps this alt comfortable.

ALT: Donovan Mitchell 25+ points + rebounds + assists (-620 at FanDuel): CASHED - Our read: He had reached 25+ PRA in six of seven games this season, averaging 32.6. - What happened: 27 points, three rebounds and six assists made 36, an 11.5-point cushion. - Worth watching: His scoring carried this one by itself, with the assists adding margin.

ALT: James Harden 12+ points (-502 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: Harden had scored 12+ in all seven games this season, averaging 16.3. - What happened: He scored 19 on 5-16 shooting and 6-6 at the line in 35 minutes, 7.5 clear. - Worth watching: Free throws and three-point volume gave him a floor even on an off shooting night.

ALT: James Harden 3+ made threes (-102 at FanDuel): CASHED - Our read: He had made 3+ threes in seven of his last 10 games, and -102 implied 50% against about 63% from recent games. - What happened: He hit 3-8 from deep and cleared by 0.5. - Worth watching: Eight attempts is the volume this line needs, so it stays close to the number.

ALT: James Harden 5+ assists (-445 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: He had dished 5+ assists in six of seven games this season, averaging 6.3. - What happened: He finished with six assists, 1.5 over, and added nine rebounds. - Worth watching: He played 35 minutes, and that workload supports this floor.

Evan Mobley 26+ points + rebounds (-118 at FanDuel): CASHED - Our read: Mobley had cleared 26+ points plus rebounds in seven of his last 10, and -118 implied 54% against about 67% from recent games. - What happened: 16 points and 10 rebounds made 26, getting over by 0.5. - Worth watching: His 33 minutes and 15 shot attempts give this combo a steady base, though it landed right on the number.

ALT: Cavaliers over 109.5 points (-162 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: Cleveland had scored 110+ in eight of its last 10 games and six of seven this season. - What happened: The Cavaliers scored 116, 6.5 over, after a 42-point fourth quarter; they made 19 threes on 49 attempts. - Worth watching: Their three-point volume gives this total a path even when they trail big.

ALT: Alex Caruso 4+ rebounds (+112 at FanDuel): CASHED - Our read: Caruso had grabbed 4+ rebounds in seven of his last 10, and +112 implied 47% against about 63% from recent games, a long shot that landed. - What happened: He pulled down four rebounds in 20 minutes off the bench, clearing by 0.5. - Worth watching: At 20 minutes this line sits right at his workload, so the plus price is the draw.

How the game played out

Oklahoma City won the first quarter by 17 and never trailed. Gilgeous-Alexander made 15 of 19 free throws, and the Thunder held a 21-12 edge in fast-break points. Bennett Stirtz added 16 off the bench on 4-7 from three. Cleveland's 42-point fourth quarter cut the margin, but the Thunder closed it out.

Trends to watch

• Mitchell took 10 threes and Harden took eight, so their points and threes lines lean on steady volume.
• Harden added nine rebounds to his six assists, so his combo props are worth a look while he plays 35 minutes.
• Cleveland reached 116 while trailing most of the night, a sign its team total can stay alive late.

Stats are from the ESPN box score. See our guides on alt lines, player props and team totals, or visit the NBA hub.