Monday night will be all about two intense matchups in the NBA. In Oakland, the much-awaited second meeting of the Cavaliers and the Warriors in the regular season will take place, while in Los Angeles, Chris Paul and company will play host to Russell Westbrook and the Thunder.
The two games are bound to feature three-pointers, triple-doubles, explosive fastbreak action, and more. Read on below and see which teams you should bet on!
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Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Golden State Warriors (8:00 PM ET)
Line: Cleveland Cavaliers (+7.5) vs. Golden State Warriors (-7.5) – view all NBA lines
The defending champs will be coming off a 120-108 win against the Sacramento Kings. It was a good performance for the Cavaliers, as six guys went for double digits, including Kyle Korver, who had his first great outing with the team, swishing 7 of 10 shots (four threes) for 18 points.
The Cavs’ big three had a productive game: LeBron James tied a season-high 15 assists, Kevin Love had a season-high 18 rebounds, and Kyrie Irving tied a game-high 26 points. The trio was also huge in their meeting with the Warriors on Christmas, combining for 76 of the team’s 109 points in the game.
Keep in mind, though, that the Cavs are just 6-4 (2-7-1 ATS) in their last 10.
As for the Warriors, they’ve gone 7-1 (2-6 ATS) since the Christmas day loss. In that stretch, they are averaging 118.9 PPG on 51.2-percent shooting. Their most recent win was against the visiting Pistons, where they pulled away in the third and never looked back, outscoring them 41-19 in the quarter.
In trying to get back a W over Cleveland, expect an aggressive Stephen Curry (24.7 PPG), Klay Thompson (21.7 PPG), and Kevin Durant (26 PPG) from the tip.
Durant had 36 points and 15 rebounds in their meeting with LeBron and company weeks ago, while Curry was quiet – 4-of-11 shooting for 15 points and three assists.
FULL PREVIEW
Writer’s Prediction
The Warriors even the season-series, 115-102.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Los Angeles Clippers (10:30 PM ET)
Line: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Los Angeles Clippers – view all NBA lines
With the 122-118 win over the Kings Sunday night, the Thunder have now won four of their last five games SU and ATS. Russell Westbrook was once again a monster, as he successfully recorded his 18th triple-double of the season – 36 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 rebounds.
OKC’s previous battle with the Clippers was last December 31, where they blew out the Clipps, 114-88, who were playing without Blake Griffin and Chris Paul. Westbrook, to no one’s surprise, had a triple-double.
The Thunder will enter the game averaging 106.6 PPG, 50.5 of which are from the paint (first in the NBA).
The Clippers, on the other hand, will be entering the game riding a hot six-game winning streak, where they have an average winning margin of 11 points, while also holding opponents to a mediocre 41-percent shooting.
Further, they are also seventh in the NBA in scoring and offensive efficiency, and sixth in points allowed and defensive efficiency.
DeAndre Jordan (13.8 RPG, second in the league) is bound to have an easier night on the boards, since Steven Adams is unlikely to play because of a head injury. He’s hauling in 18 RPG in his last six.
Chris Paul and JJ Redick, as usual, will handle much of the offensive load. Paul is putting up 17.8 PPG and 12.8 APG since coming back, while Redick is going for 19.5 PPG, along with 3.2 threes per game, since the team’s winning streak started.
FULL PREVIEW
Writer’s Prediction
The Clippers win, 110-105.
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