Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Houston Rockets Preview
Where: Toyota Center, Houston
When: Sunday, March 12, 2017, 9:00 PM ET
Line: Cleveland Cavaliers (+5) vs. Houston Rockets (-5); total: 231.0 – view all NBA lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
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Betting on the Cleveland Cavaliers (43-21)
The Cavaliers haven’t been playing like they’re the defending champions of late, having lost five of their past seven games as of this writing. They have an upcoming game in Orlando later tonight, but it’s the matchup with the Rockets the following day that attracts the most attention because anytime two contenders from two conferences, each led by MVP candidates is must-watch basketball.
For Cleveland, that player is LeBron James, whose current averages of 26.1 PPG, 8.8 APG, and 8.3 RPG have warranted his inclusion in MVP discussions. James did it all in Cleveland’s 128-120 win over Houston on Nov. 20, when he posted 19 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists. Kevin Love scored 24 in that game, while Kyrie Irving led all Cavs scorers with 32. Love remains out as he continues to heal from a knee injury so there’ll be added pressure on the likes of Tristan Thompson and Channing Frye to control the boards this time around. Rebounding was key in the Cavs previous win over Houston, in which Thompson grabbed 10 boards, with Cleveland winning the battle on the glass, 57-43. Thompson averages 9.6 RPG, while Frye pulls down 3.8.
Cleveland’s offense that ranks fourth in the league with 110.6 PPG should flourish anew versus a Houston team that doesn’t put too much effort on defense. Houston is 24th in the league with 108.2 points allowed per game.
Cleveland is 2-1 SU in its last three against the Rockets.
Betting on the Houston Rockets (45-21)
Houston’s defense has been much maligned this season, which is nothing new for teams that have been mentored by Mike D’Antoni, but boy could the Rockets score. The Rockets are second in the NBA offensively, putting up 115.1 PPG.
The Rockets’ ability to spread the floor have been causing opponents headaches. The team is No. 1 in the league in three-point makes, knocking down 14.7 per game on 36.2% shooting. Houston showcased its deft touch from beyond the arc anew during a 115-94 win over the Bulls on Friday, when the Rockets went 15-for-47 from long range. While that’s good for only 31.9%, that won’t likely discourage the Rockets from going bonkers from the three-point region. They shot 17-for-44 3FG in the aforementioned November loss to Cleveland.
Houston will counter LeBron James with its own MVP candidate in James Harden, who dropped 41 points and dished out 15 assists in that loss to the Cavs. He should get help from a stout Houston bench that ranks seventh in the league in scoring with 38.7 PPG. Cleveland, on the other hand, gets just 29.8 from its relievers.
Houston is 8-2 SU and 9-1 ATS in its last 10 home games against the Cavs.
Writer’s Prediction
Cleveland wins but Houston (-5) covers.
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