Shalom loyal Gospel readers! Today is not only the third day of Hanukkah but, to quote Adam Sandler, today is another day of Cavalier funukah. Our Cavaliers will be in the OKC on Sunday night to take on Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder.

And here’s how it breaks down:

Oklahoma City comes into Sunday night’s matchup as winners of two straight. Behind steady production from third-year forward Kevin Durant, the Thunder have pulled off a 12-9 early record and have won six of eleven at home. Durant is averaging 28.3 points and 7.2 rebounds per game while Russell Westbrook pitches in 16.4 points and 6.9 assists per contest. Coach Scott Brooks recently said that his team has shown improvements with its pick-and-roll offense, something the Cavs have struggled to defend with either Shaquille O’Neal or Zydrunas Ilguaskas on the floor.

What to Look For:

The Cavaliers picked up a much needed win on Friday night at home against the Portland Trail Blazers. After another poor performance in the first half, Cleveland came out fired up and regained their identity in the second half. Look for the Cavaliers to come out with that same intensity for 48 minutes on Sunday.

LeBron James has failed to score 21 points in only three games this season, all of which resulted in Cavaliers wins. Look for LeBron to continue his pass-first mentality and lead the charge for an intense Cleveland victory.

Cleveland has scored 100+ points in six of their last seven contests and they are 13-1 when they do so. With the Thunder giving up an average of 95 points per game, look for Cleveland to put up a lot of points on Sunday night.

Prediction:

Cleveland’s starting shooting guard Anthony Parker played basketball in Israel for Macabbi Tel Aviv before entering the NBA and is very accustomed to the celebrations of Hanukkah.

And AP comes out hot right from the opening tip. Parker picks up four of LeBron’s seven first quarter assists and pours in 12 early points to lead the Cavs to an early 14 point lead. Cleveland withstands a late second quarter run by the Thunder and goes into the locker room with an eight point advantage, 54 – 46.

The King takes matters into his own hands to start the third quarter and pours in 8 consecutive points and finished the quarter with a game-high 27. After sitting the first six minutes of the fourth quarter, James checks back in with his team clinging to a four point lead. Kevin Durant tries to steal the King’s throne but LeBron matches him point-for-point. Jeff Green cans two from long distance in the last two minutes and the Cavs trail by 2 with 11 seconds.

LeBron takes the inbound pass from Delonte West and dribbles to his right. Anderson Varejao levels Green on a screen but LeBron runs out of room at the foul line. He swings out to Mo who feeds Parker with a touch pass in the corner. And Anthony Parker celebrates day three of Hanukkah with a game winning tre. Cavs win 103-102.