The game between the Thunder and Cavaliers on Jan. 8 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse needs nothing more than a glance at the NBA standings for a buildup. The Cavs (31-4) have the best record in the NBA. They have won 10 straight games and lead the defending league champion Celtics by 5.5 games in the Eastern Conference. The Cavs are 18-1 at the FieldHouse. The Thunder (30-5) are first in the Western Conference by seven games over the second-place Rockets. The Thunder are on a 15-game winning streak and are 13-3 on the road. “I feel like this is a big game for us to make a statement,” Cavs forward Even Mobley said after practice Jan. 7 at Cleveland Clinic Courts in Independence. “I think everyone is ready to go out and get a win. Energy is great. We had a good practice today. We’ll have another good shootaround tomorrow and come ready for the game.” The Cavs-Thunder game will be nationally televised on ESPN. Tipoff is 7 p.m. It will be televised locally on FanDuel Sports Network Ohio. “It feels good to finally get some national coverage, but we’re not focused on that aspect,’ Mobley said. “We’re focused on the basketball and all the assignments we have to get this win.” The Cavaliers are second in the NBA scoring an average of 122.5 points a game. The Grizzlies are first at 123.1. Oklahoma City has the stingiest defense in the NBA, allowing an average of  102.8 points per game. The Cavs are no slouches on defense. They are 10th, allowing 110.7 points a game. The Thunder are 11th in scoring at 114.2 points a game. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads the Thunder with an average of 31.3 points a game. That ranks third in the NBA begin Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Bucks (31.6) and Nikola Jokic of the Nuggets (31.5). Donovan Mitchell leads the Cavaliers with an average of 23.3 points a game. Isaiah Hartenstein leads the Thunder with an average of 12.2 rebounds a game. Jarrett Allen leads the Cavs in that category with 10.2 caroms. As a team, the Cavs average a half-rebound a game on the defensive glass better than the Thunder — 34.2 compared 33.7. In other words, it would be no surprise if the Thunder-Cavs game came down to which team plays better in the final two minutes. “They have great defensive players, and we do as well,” Mobley said. “I feel it’s going to be a pretty even matchup. We’re going to see how it plays out. I feel it’s going to be like a playoff game with physicality. I think everyone is ready for that. It’s a different preparation mentally. “Every possession matters. Either you get fouled or a foul isn’t called. You have to play through it.” The Cavaliers have won each game by double figures during their 10-game winning streak. As impressive as that is, they were not tested during the run like the are likely to be by the Thunder. This is Kenny Atkinson’s first year coaching the Cavaliers, but he said the playoff experience the Cavs gained last year should help them prepare for what to expect from the Thunder. “They’ve been through some tough battles, like the Orlando series and the Knicks series (last spring),” Atkinson said. “They know what the playoffs look like. They know it’s not going to be easy.” The Cavs and Thunder clash again Jan. 16 in Oklahoma City. They won’t meet a third time this season unless it is in the NBA Finals. Thunder at Cavaliers When: 7 p.m., Jan. 8 Where: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse Records: Thunder 30-5, Cavaliers 31-4 TV: ESPN, FanDuel Sports Network Ohio