Read on as we break down this primetime matchup. And if you’re looking for more NBA action, then check out our complete preview for the Raptors vs. Pistons.
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Sacramento Kings vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Preview
Where: Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland
When: Monday, February 8, 7:00 PM ET
Line: Sacramento Kings at Cleveland Cavaliers – view all NBA lines
Betting on the Sacramento Kings (21-30)
The Sacramento Kings are just a handful of games behind Utah for the final spot in the Western Conference playoffs, but their disappointing level of play on the road has not helped them one bit. The Kings have lost their last five away from home and face a very tough Cleveland Cavaliers team Monday night.
Most recently, the Kings lost 128-119 at Boston on Sunday afternoon. They allowed the Celtics to make 56 percent of their field goals and 54.2 percent of their three-pointers in a horrible defensive outing. At least Sacramento did have a couple of bright spots in Rajon Rondo and DeMarcus Cousins.
With Sacramento’s third scoring option in Rudy Gay potentially missing yet another game with an ankle injury, the Kings will rely heavily on their dynamic duo once more, hopefully with some help from the likes of Omri Casspi. The backup forward from Israel scored 13 points on 6 of 16 shooting in Gay’s absence at Boston.
The Kings are 0-4-1 ATS in their last five on the road.
Betting on the Cleveland Cavaliers (36-14)
The Cleveland Cavaliers started off their current home stand with a last-second, 104-103 loss to the Boston Celtics on Friday. But afterwards, they rebounded with a dominant 99-84 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans the next day. The Cavs remain very dangerous because they can attack in a number of ways.
For one, there’s Kyrie Irving, who’s finally feeling it after a slow start following his recovery from a shattered kneecap in Game 1 of last season’s NBA Finals. Irving scored 29 in Saturday’s win over the Pelicans, bumping his scoring average to 24.7 points per game in his last six games. Then there’s LeBron James, who’s been virtually unstoppable by scoring 26.6 points per game on 48 percent shooting in his last five.
Kevin Love could also be a dominant force against Sacramento, but he’s questionable to play due to a quad contusion. If Love plays on Monday night, then the Cavs may be close to unstoppable against the Kings, as he averaged 24 points and 10 rebounds in two games against Sacramento last season. He also had a total of five threes in those games. And as a whole, Cleveland’s Big Three combined for 63 points in a 101-90 home win against Sacramento last season.
Without Love, though, J.R. Smith might have a big game just as well as the team’s three-point specialist. He’s made a whopping 19 threes on 45 percent shooting in his last four games combined. With that in mind, do note that the Kings are allowing a league-high 10.6 three-pointers per contest this season.
The Cavs are 3-1 SU/ATS in their last four games at home.
Writer’s Prediction
The Cavs blow out Sacramento.
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