An Oklahoma City Thunder-Cleveland Cavaliers NBA Finals would really throw the league into a vortex of hot takes, reasoned insight, salary cap minutia, parity, roster-building theories and hope for small-market teams.

Given the state of the NBA in 2025, a Thunder-Cavaliers series is realistic, and the teams with the best records in the league play each other Wednesday in Cleveland (7 p.m. ET, ESPN).

The game features the only teams with 30 victories (31-4 Cleveland and 30-5 Oklahoma City). It is just the third time in league history that teams with an .850 winning percentage or better have met this late in the season, and it’s been a while since either team has lost – the Thunder own a 15-game winning streak, and the Cavs have won 10 consecutive games.

It’s also just the second time two teams have won 30 of their first 35 games in the same season since 1971-72 when Milwaukee and the Los Angeles Lakers did it (the Lakers won the title as the Bucks, then in the West, lost to L.A. in the conference finals).

The Cavaliers have the No. 1 offense, scoring 121.3 points per 100 possessions, and the Thunder are No. 8 offensively at 114.8. Oklahoma City is No. 1 defensively (102.7 points allowed per 100 possessions), and Cleveland is No. 7 (109.8 points). They are 1-2 in net rating (the Thunder at plus-12.1 and the Cavs at plus-11.5 points per 100 possessions).

They are two of the four teams that rank in the top eight both offensively and defensively – Boston and Memphis are the others.

The game also features an MVP candidate in Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and one who should get more consideration in Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell.

And they play each other again next week – Jan. 16 in Oklahoma City.

Oklahoma City’s position atop the West isn’t surprising. The Thunder were the No. 1 seed last season, sharing the conference’s best record with Denver at 57-25, and have been moving toward conference supremacy for a few seasons.

Cleveland was 48-34 last season, dismissed J.B. Bickerstaff as head coach after its playoff loss and replaced him with Kenny Atkinson, who has molded the Cavs into a contender with Mitchell, Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen  and Evan Mobley.

Smart front-office executives similarly built the Thunder and Cavaliers: via trades, through the draft and free-agent signings.

Thunder executive vice president Sam Presti, who will get strong consideration for executive of the year, acquired Gilgeous-Alexander and Alex Caruso via trade, drafted Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, Ajay Mitchell, Aaron Wiggins and Cason Wallace and signed Lu Dort, Isaiah Hartenstein and Isaiah Joe in free agency. There’s a reason executives across four pro leagues named Oklahoma City’s front office the best in all of sports in a recent poll by The Athletic.

Cavaliers president of basketball operations Koby Altman had a rocky start to his tenure when he took over in LeBron James’ last season with Cleveland. However, he stuck to a plan, landing Mitchell, Jarrett Allen and Caris LeVert in trades and drafting Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and Isaac Okoro. Cleveland signed Georges Niang, Ty Jerome and Sam Merrill in free agency and acquired Max Strus in a sign-and-trade with Miami in free agency.

Presti and Altman both made wise coaching decisions, too – Mark Daigneault in Oklahoma City and Atkinson. Daigneault was the coach of the year last season, and Atkinson could win the award this season.

Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert has shown a willingness to spend money on a title contender, and while the Thunder will have to pay to retain Holmgren, Williams and Gilgeous-Alexander, Presti has made savvy signings that should help with salary cap puzzles.

Both teams are set up to succeed for the next several seasons. Cleveland hasn’t had a Finals game since 2018, and the Thunder last played in the Finals in 2012.

The Cavs will have to get past some combination of New York and Boston, and the West is loaded with capable teams. But it’s obvious both teams are headed in the right direction.

How to watch Thunder-Cavaliers: TV channel, time, live steam

Date: Wednesday, Jan. 8
TV channel: ESPN
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Streaming: ESPN+, Fubo
On the call: Mike Breen, Doris Burke, Richard Jefferson, Cassidy Hubbarth

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Former Baltimore Orioles pitcher Brian Matusz has died, the team announced Tuesday night. He was 37.

No cause of death was given.

MASN’s Roch Kubatko relayed that Matusz died Tuesday morning.

‘A staple in our clubhouse from 2009-2016, Brian was beloved throughout Birdland, and his passion for baseball and our community was unmatched,’ the Orioles said in a statement.

‘He dedicated his time to connecting with any fan he could, was a cherished teammate, and always had a smile on his face. Brian’s family and loved ones are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.’

All things Orioles: Latest Baltimore Orioles news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.

Matusz was drafted by the Angels out of St. Mary’s High School (Phoenix) in the fourth round in 2005, but he did not sign, electing instead to play at the University of San Diego. The Orioles drafted him with the fourth overall pick in 2008 and he made his MLB debut for the team in 2009.

He began his career in Baltimore as a starter before transitioning into a bullpen role during the 2012 season. He found success in the pen, where he remained until he was traded to the Atlanta Braves in 2016. He was released and signed with the Chicago Cubs, where he made one last MLB appearance — a start — on July 31, 2016.

Matusz appeared in 279 games for the Orioles over parts of eight seasons, posting a 4.85 ERA.

He enjoyed particular success throughout his career against Boston Red Sox great David Ortiz. The Hall of Fame DH managed just four hits in 29 at-bats against the left-handed Matusz (.138 average). The lefty-hitting Ortiz walked just once in their matchups while striking out 13 times.

When the NFL playoffs get underway on Saturday, 14 teams have a chance to win a Lombardi trophy at Super Bowl 59 in New Orleans. The season is over for the other 18 teams. But some teams are on the closer to playoff contention than others.

A total of 141 regular season games where decided by seven-or-fewer games this season, tied with the 2022 regular season for the most in a season in NFL history. There isn’t an insurmountable disparity between all 32 NFL teams.

Which franchises have reasons to be optimistic about their chances at the postseason? USA TODAY Sports ranks the top five teams currently on vacations who have the best chance to reach the postseason next year:

5. Seattle Seahawks

The 10-7 Seahawks were the only double-digit win team to miss the playoffs this season. Seattle lost the strength of victory tiebreaker to the NFC West champion Los Angeles Rams, but they are playoff-less in Seattle in large part because of a surprising 3-6 home record.

NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.

Kenneth Walker’s absence in six games hurt Seattle’s offense. The Seahawks ranked 28th in rushing and 18th in points per game. Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb was shown the door following’s Seattle’s disappointing finish.

Head coach Mike Macdonald’s defense should improve in his second season. Plus, Walker’s return to the backfield will help Seattle’s offense in 2025.

Offseason to-do list: Sign Geno Smith to extension and look for successor, hire an offensive coordinator, continue to build defense that fits Macdonald’s scheme.

4. Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons swept the season series versus the NFC South champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers this year, albeit with Kirk Cousins as the starting quarterback.

A Cousins and Falcons divorce seems inevitable. The Falcons will incur a $65 million dead money hit if Cousins is cut before the start of the new league year.

Penix, Drake London and Bijan Robinson are franchise pillars, allowing for hope for the offense.

The defense lacks difference-makers upfront. The Falcons’ 31 defensive sacks ranked last in the NFC. They need better production from their front seven. The secondary underperformed, but Jessie Bates is one of the best safeties in the NFL.

Offseason to-do list: Attempt to trade Kirk Cousins to accumulate assets, improve pass rush, design offense around Michael Penix Jr.

3. Dallas Cowboys

Perhaps now Jerry Jones realizes it was a lapse in judgement to not drastically upgrade the Cowboys roster during the 2024 offseason.

Injuries played a big factor during the Cowboys 7-10 campaign. Former Pro Bowlers Dak Prescott, Zack Martin, DeMarcus Lawrence, Trevon Diggs and CeeDee Lamb ended the season on injured reserve. But the Cowboys didn’t address glaring needs last offseason.

The team lacks a consistent run game, they have a leaky offensive line and a below-average defense.

The Cowboys scored 30 or more points 10 times in 2023.  They scored 30 or more points three times this year. Dallas had the 28th total defense and the unit was second to last in points allowed per game.

Dallas will naturally be a better team if its core returns healthy. However, the Cowboys have to address their offensive line, get more weapons on offense and upgrade all three levels of their defense.

Offseason to-do list: Get more playmakers on offense, improve offensive line, shore up front seven.

NFL BRACKET: Complete NFL playoff schedule and odds for this weekend’s games

2. Cincinnati Bengals

Joe Burrow led the NFL in passing yards and touchdowns, Ja’Marr Chase won the receiving triple crown and Trey Hendrickson topped the league in sacks. Unfortunately for Cincinnati, the trio’s excellent individual seasons didn’t translate to many wins nor a playoff spot.

The Bengals made dubious history by becoming the first team in NFL history to miss the playoffs despite having the league’s leading passer, the receiving yards leader and the league leader in sacks.

The Bengals were plagued by poor defense and a lack of execution at the most inopportune times. That led to the firing of defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo. Anarumo was once a top head coaching candidate.

The Bengals aren’t too far away from getting back into contention. They need to ink Chase to long-term extension, figure out a deal with Hendrickson who requested a trade last offseason and invest more on the defensive side of the football. The odd man out figures to be pending free agent Tee Higgins, which will hurt Cincy’s passing attack.

However, Burrow and Chase’s superb 2024 performances, specifically, should give Cincinnati optimism going forward.

Offseason to-do list: Sign Ja’Marr Carr and Trey Hendrickson to long-term extensions, try to re-sign Tee Higgins, invest in defense.

1. San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers aren’t too far removed from reaching three straight NFC championship games from 2021-2023, especially so when you consider injuries depleted this year’s squad. Franchise pillars Brandon Aiyuk (knee), Trent Williams (ankle), Christian McCaffrey (knee) and Dre Greenlaw (calf) were among 19 San Francisco players who ended the season on injured reserve or the PUP list.

It’s fair to assume that fatigue from long playoff runs played a role in San Francisco’s demise this year. The 49ers lost seven of their final eight games as they limped to the finish line.

The 49ers, when healthy, have a lot of high-end talent, but the team lacks depth behind its stars. If San Francisco’s prominent players can remain on the field next year, the 49ers are bound to bounce back.

Brock Purdy’s imminent contract extension does loom large. The 49ers and Purdy seem confident a deal will get done sooner rather than later.

Offseason to-do list: Get healthy, Brock Purdy extension, improve offensive line.

For the first time in more than two months, Zion Williamson took the court Tuesday night with a healthy hamstring.

The New Orleans Pelicans forward and former No. 1 overall draft pick had missed the last 27 games after suffering the injury in a Nov. 6 game against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

In Tuesday night’s 104-97 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Williamson played 28 minutes, scored 22 points and pulled down six rebounds.

He also showed that his athletic style and power are still intact during a sequence in the third quarter in which he made a steal at midcourt and then threw down a ferocious 360-degree dunk.

Williamson, 24, has had an injury-plagued start to his NBA career ever since the Pelicans selected him first overall in the 2019 NBA draft.

All things Pelicans: Latest New Orleans Pelicans news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.

He played just 24 games in his rookie season due to a knee injury, and after an All-Star campaign his second year in the league, he suffered a season-ending hamstring injury with 45 games remaining in 2022-23. Then last season, after playing a career-high 70 games, a hamstring strain caused him to miss the Pelicans’ first-round playoff series.

In an abundance of caution, New Orleans coach Willie Green said Williamson will have his playing time limited until he’s fully recovered.

The Dallas Cowboys are running out the clock. At least it seems that way.

Head coach Mike McCarthy is under contract with the Cowboys until Jan. 14, but that doesn’t mean other organizations aren’t interested in prying the coach away from ‘America’s Team.’ The Chicago Bears put in a request to interview the Dallas coach, something that was ignored up to this point like a text you had no desire to answer.

After 24 hours of deliberation, the Cowboys denied the Bears’ request, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

While McCarthy hasn’t been given permission to speak with other teams, he is also notably marching toward a deadline. The Cowboys still haven’t decided whether to proceed with the coach, meaning Chicago could come swooping in next week if McCarthy shakes free.

NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.

He would become a free agent when the exclusive negotiating window closes, though Dallas would likely want a definitive answer before the Jan. 14 decision day.

The delay could prove costly for McCarthy’s ability to land another job if Dallas moves on, but the coach should benefit from a coach hiring season that expects to move slowly.

Despite the uncertainty, McCarthy has been fairly successful with the Cowboys, reaching the playoffs in three of his five seasons at the helm. A flawed roster that was ravaged with injuries doomed the team this year, notably finishing the season without quarterback Dak Prescott.

Dallas, in the meantime, will continue to debate its coaching situation and then inform McCarthy of his fate. As for the Bears, they’ll be left in limbo if that’s their candidate of choice.

Until a decision is finalized, Chicago can proceed with an interview request list that includes Mike Vrabel, Ben Johnson, Aaron Glenn and many more.

Then they can always add McCarthy if the Cowboys break up with him.

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