The Brooklyn Nets (39-32) and the Cleveland Cavaliers (45-28) will play in an Eastern Conference matchup on Tuesday night. This is the first contest of a back-to-back between these teams, and on Dec. 26, the Nets beat the Cavaliers 125-117. Cleveland sits as the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference standings, meanwhile, Brooklyn is in the sixth spot. Ben Simmons (knee/back) is out for Brooklyn, while Jarrett Allen (eye) is questionable for Cleveland.
Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. Caesars Sportsbook lists Cleveland as a 4-point favorite in the latest Cavaliers vs. Nets odds. The over/under for total points is set at 218. Before making any Nets vs. Cavaliers picks, you need to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's advanced computer model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past four-plus seasons. The model enters Week 23 of the 2022-23 NBA season a stunning 69-36 on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning nearly $2,900. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Cavaliers vs. Nets and just locked in its picks and NBA predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are several NBA betting lines and trends for Nets vs. Cavs:
- Cavaliers vs. Nets spread: Cleveland -4
- Cavaliers vs. Nets Over-Under: 218 points
- Cavaliers vs. Nets money line: Cleveland -175, Brooklyn +148
- CLE: Over is 7-1 in the Cavaliers' last 8 road games
- BK: Nets are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games overall
- Cavaliers vs. Nets picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Cavaliers can cover
Guard Darius Garland does a great job penetrating the lane and attracting defenders to him. Garland scans the floor with ease to dime the open man and owns a solid jump shot. The Vanderbilt product averages 21.9 points, 7.8 assists, and shoots 41% from beyond the arc. On Friday against the Washington Wizards, Garland finished with 24 points and nine assists.
Guard Caris LeVert is an extremely crafty ball handler who has a knack for slicing through the defense. LeVert can heat up in a hurry and be an asset offensively as the Michigan product logs 11.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game. On March 15 versus the Philadelphia 76ers, LeVert tallied 24 points, six assists, and went 5-of-10 from downtown.
Why the Nets can cover
Forward Mikal Bridges is a shutdown defender with outstanding length and lateral quickness. Bridges provides Brooklyn with a reliable perimeter shooter and the ability to put the ball on the deck. The Villanova product averages 19.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game. He has recorded at least 23 points in five straight contests, and in the March 14 battle versus the Oklahoma City Thunder, he logged 34 points, four rebounds, and four blocks.
Center Nicolas Claxton is a superb shot-blocker who has good instincts and awareness to snag rebounds and take efficient shots in the paint. The Georgia product averages 12.6 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. Additionally, he's first in the league in field-goal percentage (70%) and second in blocks (2.5). On March 16 against the Sacramento Kings, Claxton notched 14 points, 14 rebounds, and two blocks.
How to make Cavaliers vs. Nets picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the total, projecting the teams to combine for 229 points. The model also says one side of the spread hits over 50% of the time. You can only get the pick at SportsLine.
So who Cavs vs. Nets? And which side hits over 50% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to find out which side of the spread you need to jump on for Nets vs. Cavs, all from the model that has crushed its NBA picks, and find out.
