Dec 6, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) celebrates after hitting a three point basket against the Golden State Warriors during the second half at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Golden State Warriors Game Thursday: Preview, Breakdown

Originally posted on Cleveland Cavaliers on SI
By Chase Brownawell | Last updated Apr 2, 2026 1:51 PM ET

The Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers were both looking for a win to guarantee themselves a top six spot in the NBA Playoffs beginning on April 18th.

LeBron James and Luka Doncic made the starting lineup for the game as they looked to guarantee their spot.

By the end of the game, it ended with a 127-113 win for the Lakers as they clinched the Pacific division.

This win also put LeBron James as the all-time winningest player in NBA history with 1,229 wins.

Now the Cavaliers are making a tough push. Just one win over the next six guarantees them top six, but they need just three wins to have home court advantage in the first round.

Seeding in the Eastern Conference is all close right now. The Knicks and the Cavs are going back and forth for the fourth seed.

The fifth through 10th spots in the East are all up for grabs over the next two weeks. Cleveland has no idea yet who they could face in the NBA postseason.

Tonight, in facing the Golden State Warriors, the Cavs have a better chance of winning to get themselves in. Last night, the Warriors lost to the San Antonio Spurs where they could barely fill a whole roster of players.

Where to watch the Cavs at Warriors game?

Channel: FanDuel Sports Network Ohio

Time: 10:00 p.m. EST

Injury Report

Warriors: Steph Curry (knee) is out. Al Horford (foot) is out. Moses Moody (knee) is out. Jimmy Butler III (knee) is out.

Cavs: Jaylon Tyson (toe) is out. Dean Wade (ankle) is out.

Potential Starting Lineups

Warriors

Brandin Podziemski
De’Anthony Melton
Gui Santos
Draymond Green
Kristaps Porzingis

Cavs

James Harden
Donovan Mitchell
Sam Merrill
Evan Mobley
Jarrett Allen

Cavaliers at Warriors predictions, odds, best bets

Odds: Cavs -10

O/U: 227.5

Best Bet: Donovan MItchell over 25 points. -111.

Cavaliers 115, Warriors 103: The Cavaliers biggest issue right now is that Jarrett Allen's knee is still not fully healthy. He said in an interview that he does not know when it would be good.

He is very important to the team and if he is playing the Cavs have better chances of pulling through.

Donovan Mitchell needs to be better as well in helping this team win, 10 points on 10 shots is not the move.

All NBA Odds on FanDuel

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

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