Brooklyn Nets (10-15) vs Cleveland Cavaliers (22-4)
December 16, 2024 at 07:30 PM EST
The Line: Betting Odds: Brooklyn Nets +9.5 — Over/Under: 221.5
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers have been in a groove as they’ve won five of their last six games overall and they will be eager to stay hot after beating the Wizards in a 115-105 home win on Friday. Darius Garland led the team in scoring with 24 points and eight assists, Jarrett Allen added 21 points with 11 rebounds while Donovan Mitchell chipped in with 20 points and six assists. As a team, the Cavaliers shot just 39 percent from the field and 15 of 50 from the 3-point line as they poured in 32 points in the second quarter to take the lead into halftime, but because they had an off-shooting night, they were able to get the win but not the cover. The Cavs will take on the Bucks and 76ers after this game.
Brooklyn Nets
Meanwhile, the Brooklyn Nets have been in a rut as they’ve lost five of their last six games overall and they will be hoping to avoid a third straight defeat after getting mauled by the Grizzlies in a 135-119 road defeat on Friday. Dorian Finney-Smith led the team with 19 points, Dennis Schroder and Jalen Wilson scored 15 points each while Keon Johnson chipped in with 12 points. As a team, the Nets shot 45 percent from the field and 20 of 53 from the 3-point line as they struggled to contain the Grizzlies from the start and trailed by 13 points going into halftime before they cooled off in the fourth quarter to allow the Grizzlies to pull away. The Nets will play against the Raptors following this one.
Why the Cleveland Cavaliers will win
- The favorites have won each of the Cavaliers’ last nine games at Barclays Center.
- The Nets have lost each of their last five games against Eastern Conference opponents that held a winning record.
- The Cavaliers have covered the spread in each of their last four road games against the Nets following a home win.
- The Nets have failed to cover the spread in each of their last three games against Eastern Conference opponents that held a winning record.
Total Points Facts
- Nine of the Nets’ last 11 games as underdogs following a road loss have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Four of the Cavaliers’ last five road games against Atlantic Division opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Brooklyn Nets Prediction
The Cavaliers are still shorthanded with Max Strus out and Craig Porter Jr listed as questionable, while the Nets are still missing Bojan Bogdanovic and Cam Thomas. The Cavaliers were always going to be clear favorites in this matchup and I think they get the job done here against this struggling Nets team dealing with the distractions of possible trades. Give me the Cavaliers to get the win and cover on the road in this spot.