The Brooklyn Nets (23-50) clash against the Cleveland Cavaliers (43-29) at Barclays Center. The game can be seen on NBATV at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 25, 2018.
Cleveland is a 6.5-point favorite on the opening line, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 228.5 points.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Brooklyn Nets ATS Prediction
In the Cavaliers’ last matchup, they blew out the Phoenix Suns, 120-95. The Cavaliers had an absurd offensive rebounding percentage of 34.1 (above their season average of 19.6), while the Suns had a free throw rate of 0.138 (below their season average of 0.208). Cleveland was lifted by LeBron James, who was the game’s leading scorer with 27 points on 11-for-16 shooting.
The Nets lost to the Toronto Raptors in their last outing, 116-112. Toronto’s offensive rebounding percentage was their largest strength over Brooklyn. The Raptors had a rate of 12.5 (below their season average of 23.4), while the Nets posted a mark of 11.6 (below their season average of 21.9). D’Angelo Russell had a big game for Brooklyn, racking up 18 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds on his way to his zeroth triple-double this season.
Cleveland could dominate on the offensive side of the ball as their prolific offense goes up against one of the league’s worst defenses. The Cavaliers currently rank fifth in offensive efficiency while Brooklyn ranks 24th in defensive efficiency.
Cleveland heads into the game with records of 43-29 straight up (SU) and 25-46-1 against the spread (ATS). A little over half of the Cavaliers’ games have finished over the total.
Brooklyn has a solid 41-31-1 record ATS, despite being 23-50 SU. Unlike Cleveland, just over half of Nets games have finished under the O/U total.
Both teams have had a player step their game up over their last five games. James (34.2 points, 11.6 rebounds, 11.2 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.6 blocks) has been fantastic for the Cavaliers while Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (18.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.6 steals) has contributed greatly to the Nets.
The Cavaliers lead the season series against the Nets two games to one, including a 129-123 victory the last time these teams met. Cleveland was unable to cover as a 10-point favorite and the game finished with a total of 252 points, which was 30 points above the projected point total of 222 points. Cleveland out-rebounded Brooklyn. The Cavaliers had 14 offensive rebounds and 55 total rebounds, while the Nets had three and 36, respectively. James put up a triple-double in the victory, with 31 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists.
Cleveland Cavaliers at Brooklyn Nets Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Cavaliers, ATS Winner – Nets, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Cleveland is 15-21 ATS on the road with 19 overs and 17 unders.
At home, Brooklyn is 17-18-1 ATS with 21 unders and 15 overs.
Cleveland is 15-2 when they hold opponents below 100 points, while Brooklyn is 12-1.
In games where they reach the century mark, the Cavaliers are 42-17 and the Nets are 19-34.
Brooklyn ranks first in three pointers allowed per game (24.6) while Cleveland ranks 29th (31.9).
The Cavaliers rank third in blocks allowed per game (4.1) while the Nets rank 28th (5.6).
Brooklyn ranks seventh in assists allowed per game (21.7) while Cleveland ranks 29th (25.8).
The Nets rank sixth in rebounds per game (44.7) while the Cavaliers rank 23rd in rebounds allowed per game (44.0).
Cleveland ranks 16th in points off turnovers per game (16.4) while Brooklyn ranks 29th (14.2).
The Nets average 43.9 points in the paint per game, which ranks 17th in the league. The Cavaliers rank 25th in points allowed in the paint per game (47.0).
Cleveland ranks 20th in second chance points allowed per game (12.9) while Brooklyn ranks 28th (13.7).
The Cavaliers rank 24th in steals per game (7.0) while the Nets rank 29th (6.1).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Cleveland is 3-2 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Brooklyn is 3-2 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under over their last five games.
The Cavaliers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 6.4, up from 0.7 for the season.
During their last five games, the Nets have scored an average of 113.0 points per game (6.7 above their season average) and allowed an average of 113.6 points per game (3.1 above their season average).
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