The Phoenix Suns (19-53) look to snap their nine-game losing streak when they take on the Cleveland Cavaliers (42-29) at Quicken Loans Arena. The game will air on Fox Sports – Ohio at 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday, March 23, 2018.
Phoenix Suns at Cleveland Cavaliers ATS Prediction
The Suns are trying to rebound after their 115-88 loss to the Detroit Pistons in their last game. Detroit’s 7.1 turnover percentage was their largest strength over Phoenix, who had a rate of 16.1. The Pistons’ mark was better than their season average of 12.1. Alex Len led Phoenix in scoring with 19 points on 9-for-11 shooting.
In the Cavaliers’ last game, they edged the Toronto Raptors, 132-129. Cleveland made good use of their 28 trips to the charity stripe, making 23 of them (82.1 percent). Toronto, meanwhile, was 20-23 (87.0 percent). LeBron James was the top scorer from either team with 35 points on 11-for-19 shooting.
Cleveland could have their way on the offensive side of the ball as their high-powered offense goes up against one of the worst defenses in the NBA. The Cavaliers currently rank fifth in offensive efficiency, while Phoenix ranks 30th in defensive efficiency.
Phoenix holds records of 19-53 straight up (SU) and 31-39-2 against the spread (ATS). Of the Suns’ 72 games, 35 have finished over the O/U total.
Meanwhile, Cleveland is 42-29 SU and 24-46-1 ATS. Vegas has typically been fairly accurate when setting the total of Cavaliers games, with 37 overs compared to 33 unders.
James and Jeff Green have been playing well over the last five games for Cleveland. James has averaged 32.0 points, 12.2 rebounds, 9.2 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.8 blocks per game. Not to be outdone, Green has put up 13.8 points and 1.2 blocks a game during that span.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. James had 28 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists in the first game, in which the Cavaliers beat the Suns 129-107, covering as 7.5-point favorites. The game finished with a total of 236 points, which was 5.5 points above the projected point total of 230.5 points. Cleveland was lights out from beyond the arc (17-35; 48.6 percent). Phoenix, on the other hand, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (22.0 vs. 12.2).
Phoenix Suns at Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Pick
Free NBA Pick: SU Winner – Suns, ATS Winner – Suns, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Phoenix is 19-16-1 ATS on the road with 18 unders, 17 overs and 1 push.
Cleveland is 9-25-1 ATS at home with 18 overs, 16 unders and 1 push.
When holding opponents under 100 points, Phoenix is 6-2 and Cleveland is 14-2.
The Suns are 15-32 when they score over 100 points, while the Cavaliers are 41-17.
Cleveland ranks third in blocks allowed per game (4.1) while Phoenix ranks last (6.0).
The Cavaliers rank 10th in assists per game (23.6) while the Suns rank 29th (21.1).
Cleveland ranks fourth in three pointers attempted per game (32.6) while Phoenix ranks 21st (27.6).
The Cavaliers rank 12th in fast break points allowed per game (11.4) while the Suns rank 29th (14.9).
Cleveland ranks 12th in steals allowed per game (7.5) while Phoenix ranks 27th (8.7).
The Suns rank 11th in points in the paint per game (45.8) while the Cavaliers rank 24th in points allowed in the paint per game (47.0).
Cleveland ranks 16th in points off turnovers allowed per game (16.3) while Phoenix ranks 29th (18.8).
The Suns average 13.3 second chance points per game, which ranks eighth in the NBA. The Cavaliers rank 20th in second chance points allowed per game (13.0).
Phoenix ranks 12th in rebounds per game (44.1) while Cleveland ranks 23rd in rebounds allowed per game (44.1).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Phoenix is 1-4 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Cleveland is 3-2 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under over their last five games.
The Suns’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 19.8, up from 9.7 for the season.
During their last five games, the Cavaliers have scored an average of 120.8 points per game (10.0 above their season average) and allowed an average of 115.0 points per game (4.6 above their season average).
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