Brooklyn Nets vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Prediction, NBA Odds
The Cleveland Cavaliers are on a roll with four straight wins, including a 107-102 decision in Oklahoma City on Saturday as they get set to host the Nets on Monday. Brooklyn sits just a half-game back of Chicago for top spot in the Eastern Conference and they’re coming into Cleveland off a 120-105 rout of New Orleans on Saturday.
The Cavaliers opened as 2.5-point favourites to win on the NBA odds, with a total of 220.0.
Nets vs. Cavaliers NBA Betting Odds
The Nets have won both decisions against the Cavs this season, coming out on top in Brooklyn, 109-99 on Nov. 17, before winning 117-112 in Cleveland on Nov. 22. The Over has hit in the last five games between these teams.
Brooklyn has been solid on the road this season, going 15-4 straight up outside of Barclays Center. They’re 16-25-1 against the spread overall and have failed to cover in eight of their last 10 games. The Nets have split the Over/Under evenly over their last 10 contests.
Cleveland has looked good this year and come into Monday with five wins in their last six games. They’ve also been a great cover option, going 29-13-2 ATS overall, including 14-6 ATS at home. The total has gone Under in four of the Cavaliers’ last six games.
Brooklyn Nets
With Kyrie Irving not eligible to play home games this season, James Harden led the way with 27 points, 15 assists and eight rebounds against the Pelicans. Patty Mills added 21 points, while Cameron Thomas had 20. Kevin Durant finished with 12 points in 12 minutes of action before leaving with a sprained left knee. Durant is expected to miss four to six weeks, which is a massive blow considering he averages a league-high 29.3 points per game. Brooklyn was already without centres LaMarcus Aldridge and Nic Claxton. Aldridge has missed five games with soreness in his right foot, while Claxton has missed three with tightness in his left hip.
The offensive load will fall mostly on Harden and Irving, although Irving obviously can only play on the road. Harden is averaging 22.7 ppg and leads the team in rebounds (8.0), assists (10.0, also leads NBA) and steals (1.4). In three games, Irving is averaging 17.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Darius Garland’s game-high 27 points and career-high 18 assists helped the Cavs overcome an 18-point deficit against the Thunder. Evan Mobley added 19 points, while Jarrett Allen and Kevin Love each had 13. Allen also had 13 rebounds. Garland is just the sixth player in franchise history to record 25 points and 15 assists in a game. The third-year player has been a big piece of Cleveland’s success this season as he averages team-highs in points (19.7) and assists (7.8). Allen is averaging 16.6 ppg and a team-high 11.0 rebounds. Mobley has 15.0 ppg and a team-high 1.7 blocks.
Rajon Rondo, who was traded from the Lakers on Jan. 3, has missed the last three games with a hamstring injury and will likely be a game-time decision Monday. Collin Sexton and Ricky Rubio are both out for the year with knee injuries.
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