[sc:NBA250 ]LeBron James was not to be denied Sunday night, leading the Cleveland Cavaliers’ charge to their seventh straight win. Cleveland returns on the road to take on one of the West’s best. The Dallas Mavericks are sitting at fifth in the Western Conference standings. While they aren’t on a long win streak, the Mavs have showed their dominance winning seven out of their last 10.
Can the Cavaliers topple Dallas on the road? Or will the Mavericks prove to be a challenge against the East’s best? The NBA isn’t your only source for thrilling basketball action. Check out some of the amazing pro prospects in college hoops with our complete previews for Kansas vs. West Virginia and Maryland vs. Michigan.
[sc:NBAArticles ]Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Dallas Mavericks Preview
Where: American Airlines Center, Dallas
When: Tuesday, January 12, 8:30 PM ET
Line: Cleveland Cavaliers (-6) at Dallas Mavericks (+6); total 198.5 – view all NBA lines
Betting on the Cleveland Cavaliers (26-9)
LeBron James could not be stopped Sunday night, dropping 37 points on the hapless Philadelphia 76ers in a 95-85 win. He added nine assists and seven rebounds as he filled the stat sheet. While James was on fire, point guard Kyrie Irving struggled, going 3 for 15 from the floor for eight points. It might take more time before Irving can find his All-Star calibre game, which had him averaging over 20 points in his last three seasons.
[sc:NBA240banner ]While Irving continues to struggle with consistency, Kevin Love could still factor in the Cavaliers’ offense. Love finished with 15 points on 5 of 11 shooting. But he’s averaging just 13.4 points per game in his last five against Western Conference opponents. If Love and Irving continue to struggle, expect James to take over the game like he did at Philadelphia.
J.R. Smith is a Cavalier flying under the radar who could explode for a big outing against Dallas. Smith is averaging 18.3 points in his last three road games against Western Conference opposition. He’s also been hot in the Cavaliers’ current road trip, scoring 22 points per game while shooting 50 percent from three.
The Cavaliers are 1-4-1 ATS in their last six on the road.
Betting on the Dallas Mavericks (22-16)
Despite being 37 years old, Dirk Nowitzki is still one special basketball player. He made big plays and shot from basically everywhere on the court, leading the Mavericks to a 93-87 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday. Nowitzki finished with a team-high 29 points on 12 of 22 shooting, including 4 of 7 from three.
Nowtizki is in for a tougher outing against Cleveland. The Cavaliers have one of the best defenses in the league, allowing just 95.4 points per game. They’ve also held opposing starting power forwards to just 8.3 points per game in their last seven games. Nowitzki finished with just 14 points per game in two outings against the Cavaliers last season.
If Nowitzki struggles against Cleveland, then the Mavericks will need their usually explosive backcourt tandem of Deron Williams and Wesley Matthews to pick up the pace. Matthews and Williams shot just a combined 3 of 18 against the Timberwolves on Sunday, despite coming in averaging 14.5 and 13.2 points per game respectively. Of the two, Williams is due for a big outing; he’s averaging 14.7 points in his last six games against Eastern Conference teams.
The Mavericks have won eight of their last 10 against Cleveland, going 7-3 ATS.
Writer’s Prediction
The Cavaliers barely edge out Dallas. The Mavericks cover +6 in a loss.
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