Cavs vs. Nets Prediction
The first of two NBA Playoff Play-in games on Tuesday night will take place in Brooklyn, NY where the Nets will host the Cavs at 7:00 p.m. ET. Is 8.5 too much to lay with the host Nets?
Game Snapshot
501 Cleveland Cavs (+8.5) at 502 Brooklyn Nets (-8.5); o/u 228.5
7:00 p.m. ET, Tuesday, April 12, 2022
Venue: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY
TV: TNT
Cleveland Cavs DFS Notes
Darius Garland scored a team-high 31 points (12-of-24 FGs) in a 118-107 loss to the Nets on Friday, but added just three dimes, two steals, three triples and two turnovers in his 41 minutes. Oddly enough, this was Garland’s second game over the past week with no rebounds, but he hadn’t have any zero-rebound games this season before those two. Garland also got hit in the head in the fourth quarter trying to go for a loose ball, but he never exited the game and it’s just something to keep an eye on. He’s had a massive season for both the surging Cavs and those lucky enough to draft him, and with Evan Mobley back in action, they’ll be a ton of fun to watch in the play-in game(s) no matter who they face, especially if Jarrett Allen manages to come back as well. In regards to the other Cavs starters, Lauri Markkanen scored 17 efficient points with two treys, while Caris LeVert tallied a likewise efficient 16/4/4 line with a block in 34 minutes.
Brooklyn Nets DFS Notes
Kevin Durant finished Sunday’s 134-126 win over the Pacers with 20 points (5-of-17 FGs, 10-of-10 FTs), 10 rebounds, 16 assists, and one steal in 41 minutes. Durant didn’t shoot the ball well from the field but, as great players often do, he found other ways in which to help his team. In recording his fourth triple-double of the season, Durant established a new career-high with the 16 assists. The off-night from the field is not a concern, as KD has been close to a 50-40-90 player for the season. And others stepped forward on Sunday, with Andre Drummond making all nine of his shots from the field (and both of his free throws), finishing with 20 points, 13 rebounds, and two blocks. Look for Durant to bounce back on Tuesday, when the Nets host the Cavaliers in the 7 vs. 8 play-in game.
Cavs vs. Nets NBA Playoffs Betting Prediction
The Cavs are just 3-7-1 against the spread in their last 11 games in Brooklyn, are 3-9 against the number in their last 12 games overall and are 1-6 at the window in their last seven road games. The Nets, however, are just 2-6 against the spread in their last eight games overall and are 11-28 in their last 39 games as a favorite.
Thus, the best bet on the board is the over, which has cashed in five of the last seven meetings between these two teams, is 10-3 in the Cavs’ last 13 games as an underdog and is 5-2 in the Nets’ last seven games when playing an opponent with a winning record.
NBA PLAYOFFS BETTING PREDICTION: CAVS/NETS OVER 228.5