7:10 pm
October 24

Nets @ Cavaliers

Who will WIN this matchup?

Brooklyn Nets (1-2)

@ Cleveland Cavaliers (0-3)

 

Current odds:

Brooklyn Nets: (+135)

Cleveland Cavaliers: (-155)

 

• The line for this game is Cavs by 3 points.

• Cleveland is allowing opponents to shoot 49.5 percent from the floor, including 43.8 percent from 3-point range, during an 0-3 start and was crushed 133-111 in the home opener by the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday.

• The Nets went through their own struggles on the defensive end in a 132-112 loss at Indiana on Saturday but are getting an upgrade on that end with the return of Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who missed the first three games with an adductor strain.

• Injuries to the likes of Hollis-Jefferson, DeMarre Carroll and Allen Crabbe gave Caris LeVert the opportunity to get more shots up in the first three games, and he took advantage. LeVert, who averaged 12.1 points in a reserve role last season, is averaging 24.7 points on 65 percent shooting while logging 31.3 minutes in the first three games. Small forward Joe Harris started in Hollis-Jefferson’s spot in the first three games and averaged 14.3 points while shooting 52.9 percent from beyond the arc.

• Cleveland allowed the Hawks to bury 22 3-pointers in Sunday’s setback and were outscored 41-25 in the fourth quarter. “Opening Night at home we expect to play better,” star power forward Kevin Love told reporters. “We expect to play better in front of our home crowd. I don’t know if alarming is the right word but it sure sounds right, just with our effort level. Our effort level wasn’t there, especially defending the 3-point line. They were just gunning and we weren’t getting into them, we weren’t physical.” Love had a rough night from beyond the arc in that loss while hitting 1-of-8 but is averaging 20.7 points and 14.3 rebounds.

• Nets PG Shabazz Napier (hamstring) is expected to make his season debut on Wednesday.

• Cavaliers SG JR Smith (elbow) sat out Sunday and is questionable.

• Cleveland took the final three meetings last season while averaging 123 points.

5/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Cleveland Cavaliers
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