The Cleveland Cavaliers (18-45) will be at home in Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse when they challenge the San Antonio Spurs (26-35). Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 8, 2020, and it can be seen on Fox Sports – Southwest.
San Antonio Spurs at Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Preview
In the Spurs’ last matchup, they lost big to the Brooklyn Nets, 139-120. They failed to cover as 2.5-point underdogs. With 24 points on 10-for-13 shooting, DeMar DeRozan was San Antonio’s leading scorer. Brooklyn held the Spurs to an offensive rebounding percentage of 4.4 (below their season average of 20.0). San Antonio, meanwhile, did a terrific job of getting and making free throws (24-27; 88.9 percent). The two teams combined to score 259 points, which finished well over the O/U total of 226.
The Cavaliers hope to keep it rolling after just getting past the Denver Nuggets in their last matchup, 104-102, as 4-point underdogs. Cleveland rallied around Kevin Love, who was the top scorer from either team with 27 points on 9-for-17 shooting. Cleveland dominated nearly every facet of the game. They had a free throw rate of 0.105 (below their season average of 0.169) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 25.0 (above their season average of 24.6). For those same stats, Denver was 0.035 and 22.5, respectively. The two clubs combined to record 206 points, which was under the O/U total of 215.
Expect this one to be a clinic on boxing out as two of the NBA’s top rebounding teams go head-to-head. The Cavaliers rank fourth in offensive rebounding percentage (24.6 percent), while San Antonio ranks fourth in defensive rebounding percentage (79.2 percent). Furthermore, the Spurs rank first in turnover percentage (11.7 percent), while the Cavaliers rank 25th in opponents’ turnover percentage (12.4 percent).
Of San Antonio’s 61 games, 37 have finished over the O/U total, while 34 of Cleveland’s 62 games have finished over the O/U total. The Spurs hold the substantial advantage straight up (SU) (26-35 vs. 18-45), but the Cavaliers have been better against the spread (ATS) (27-32-3 vs. 23-36-2).
These two clubs have already met once this season. In that game, the two teams combined for 226 points, which was over the projected point total of 218.5. The Cavaliers won 117-109, covering as 12-point underdogs. Cleveland won the rebounding battle. The Cavaliers had more offensive rebounds (11 vs. two), defensive rebounds (39 vs. 34) and total rebounds (50 vs. 36). Love put up a double-double in the victory with 30 points and 17 rebounds.
Spurs vs. Cavaliers Betting Prediction
Pick: SU Winner – Cavaliers, ATS Winner – Cavaliers, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
The Cavaliers rank 11th in points in the paint per game (49.0) while the Spurs rank last (43.4).
San Antonio ranks 14th in fast break points per game (13.5) while Cleveland ranks 28th (10.5).
Cleveland ranks 12th in second chance points per game (13.4) while San Antonio ranks 29th (10.8).
On the road, San Antonio is 14-16-2 ATS with 21 overs, 10 unders and 1 push.
Cleveland is 12-20-2 ATS at home with 19 overs, 14 unders and 1 push.
San Antonio is 2-0 when they hold opponents below 100 points, while Cleveland is 5-3.
The Cavaliers are 17-32 when they score more than 100 points, while the Spurs are 26-30.
The Spurs rank 14th in assists per game (24.5) while the Cavaliers rank 29th in assists allowed per game (26.3).
San Antonio ranks second in steals allowed per game (6.8) while Cleveland ranks last (9.4).
The Spurs rank sixth in points off turnovers allowed per game (15.0) while the Cavaliers rank last (19.9).
The Cavaliers rank 20th in three pointers attempted per game (31.9) while the Spurs rank 28th (28.7).
San Antonio ranks seventh in blocks allowed per game (4.4) while Cleveland ranks 29th (6.3).
Bettings Trends:
Cleveland is 2-2-1 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders in its last five games.
Over its past five games, San Antonio is 0-5 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
The Cavaliers’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 7.6, down from 8.1 for the season.
During their last five games, the Spurs have scored an average of 110.4 points per game (2.4 below their season average) and allowed an average of 116.0 points per game (1.3 above their season average).
