Sportsbook.ag Tuesday NBA Betting Preview
Both the Cavaliers and Mavericks will be looking for their second straight victories when the teams collide in Dallas Tuesday.
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (40-25) at DALLAS MAVERICKS (41-24)
Sportsbook.ag Line: Cleveland -5.0, Total: 201.5
The Cavaliers hosted the Suns on Saturday and came way with an 89-79 victory as 11-point home favorites. Cleveland has won three of its past four games SU, but the team has failed to cover in its past two games. Meanwhile, Dallas went into Staples Center on Sunday and beat the Lakers 100-93 as a 7.5-point favorite. The Mavericks scored 100+ points for just the third time in their past 13 games and the team must be much better offensively moving forward.
These two teams have met just once this season and Dallas won that game 109-90 as a 7.5-point road favorite. The Cavaliers were without SF LeBron James in that game, but Dallas has still dominated this head-to-head series in recent years. The Mavericks have won-and-covered in their past five meetings with the Cavaliers and they are also 8-2 SU and 7-3 ATS in their past 10. Dallas has also won four straight games SU (3-1 ATS) when hosting Cleveland. The last time the Cavaliers won a game in Dallas was Nov. 3, 2008.
Yet, Cleveland is going up against a Mavericks team that is just 5-18 ATS in home games after playing a game as a road favorite over the past three seasons. Cleveland is 4-12 ATS in road games after playing at home this season and 3-13 ATS after two straight games where they were called for 18 or less fouls as well. SF Shawn Marion (Hip) is expected to miss another couple of games for the Cavs and PG Devin Harris (Thumb) is questionable for the Mavericks.
The Cavaliers took care of business in a win over the Suns on Saturday and C Timofey Mozgov (9.4 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 1.4 BPG) gave Phoenix fits in that one. Mozgov had 19 points (6-for-8 FG, 7-for-8 FT) and four rebounds in that game and will need to bring a similar presence to Tuesday’s game. He’s going to be up against a solid Mavericks frontcourt and must hold his own offensively and also provide the same effort on the defensive end that he has since being acquired by Cleveland.
SF LeBron James (26.0 PPG, 7.3 APG, 5.7 RPG, 1.6 SPG) did not have his best game against the Suns. He finished with 17 points (6-for-16 FG), eight assists and six boards in 36 minutes in that game. He must shoot the ball better against Dallas in order for his team to win this game on the road. He was not on the court the last time his team played the Mavericks and he will definitely make a big difference this time around if he can stay disciplined. James has been playing like his former MVP self lately, but he’s also turning the ball over 6.5 times per game over the past two contests and the team needs him to take smart shots and make the right decisions in general.
PF Kevin Love (16.9 PPG, 10.2 RPG) lit up the Mavericks with James out in that game. He had 30 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, a block and a steal in 32 minutes of action in that game. He’ll need to win his matchup with Dirk Nowitzki in this one.
PG Kyrie Irving (21.4 PPG, 5.2 APG, 3.1 RPG, 1.5 SPG) really struggled in just 25 minutes against the Mavericks in their last meeting, scoring just six points. He is also coming off of a poor performance against the Suns, finishing with just eight points in 26 minutes of action. Cleveland needs Irving to knock down his shots from the outside in this game, as he is excellent from out there (40% 3PT). If Irving can’t get himself going as a scorer then SG J.R. Smith (11.7 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 2.9 APG, 1.3 SPG) will be relied on to score. He had 15 points and five assists the last time he faced Dallas and if he can play like that with LeBron James back in the lineup then this should be a very close game.
The Mavericks beat the Lakers in Los Angeles Sunday and SG Monta Ellis (19.2 PPG, 4.3 APG, 1.9 SPG) erupted for 31 points (12-for-22 FG, 5-for-7 3PT). Ellis had been slumping, so that game should give him a ton of confidence moving forward. He had 20 points in 26 minutes in a win over the Cavs earlier in the season and he will use his speed to get into the lane as much as he can in this one.
PG Rajon Rondo (8.9 PPG, 8.1 APG, 5.8 RPG, 1.4 SPG) had eight points, nine assists and four rebounds in 36 minutes against the Lakers Sunday. He’s now averaging 11.8 PPG, 6.4 APG and 5.4 RPG over his past five games. He will need to continue to look for his shot and not just to set up his teammates, as his scoring is a vital part of this offense. Rondo will also need to play some solid defense against Kyrie Irving in this one.
C Tyson Chandler (10.4 PPG, 11.6 RPG, 1.2 BPG) has not been too involved offensively for this team, attempting just 2.5 shots per game over the past two contests. He’s averaging 8.5 PPG in those games and that could all be because his rebounding is down to just 5.5 RPG in those contests. He relies on his offensive rebounding to get him second chance layups and dunks. The team will need him to be way more active on the glass on Tuesday.
SF Chandler Parsons (15.3 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 2.4 APG, 1.0 SPG) had 11 points, six rebounds and a block against the Lakers in his return from an ankle injury. Parsons will need to knock down some shots in this game, as he is a solid outside shooter (37% 3PT) and can also get things going when attacking the rim. His defense on LeBron James could also come a long way in determining the outcome of this game.
PF Dirk Nowitzki (17.3 PPG, 6.0 RPG) had 15 points, five boards, three assists and two blocks the last time he face the Cavs. He’ll need to hold his own against Kevin Love in this game.
