Cavaliers vs Nets Odds & Picks: Brooklyn Favored In First East Play-In Game

The Brooklyn Nets (44-38 SU, 32-47-3 ATS) host the Cleveland Cavaliers (44-38, 43-36-3) on Tuesday in the first game of the Eastern Conference play-in tournament. The seventh-seeded Nets come into the game as the big favorite, winning four straight games, while the eighth-seeded Cavaliers are 1-3 over their last four. Which team will earn a spot in the playoffs with a win? Find out in our Cavaliers vs Nets prediction.

Cavaliers vs Nets Odds & Analysis

Sportsbook Odds

The Nets opened as a sizable 8.5-point home favorite with the total set at 228.5 points. The OVER is 12-6 in Cleveland’s last 18 games while the UNDER is 5-1 in Brooklyn’s last six contests. With Brooklyn rounding into form over the last week of the regular season, the hosts look like a lock for your Cavaliers vs Nets prediction.

Get the best Cavaliers vs Nets odds and lines available from our recommended sportsbooks for your favorite picks of the night.

Cavaliers End Season On Winning Note Against Bucks

The Cavaliers completed their regular season by defeating a short-handed Milwaukee Bucks squad 133-115 on Sunday. Kevin Love had a monster night off the bench, dropping 32 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in just 15 minutes while Lauri Markkanen added 23 points for the Cavs. Sandro Mamukelashvili led Milwaukee with 28 as the Bucks rested all their top players ahead of the playoffs.

The Cavaliers locked themselves in as the eighth seed with the victory, though they’ll now be up against a Brooklyn squad they’ve struggled against recently. The Cavs went 1-3 vs the Nets in the season series and have just three wins against Brooklyn over their last 10 meetings.

Jarrett Allen (finger) is out for Tuesday’s matchup.

Brooklyn Comes Into Play-In Tournament On A Hot Streak

The Nets enter the play-in tournament on a four-game run following a 134-126 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Sunday. Kyrie Irving led the way offensively for Brooklyn with 35 points while Kevin Durant posted a triple-double with 20 points, 16 assists and 10 rebounds. Oshae Brissett scored 28 points to lead the Pacers.

Brooklyn’s one-two punch of Durant and Irving has been money of late, averaging a combined 58.2 points over their last 10 games, with each scoring 30-plus in three of their last five outings. The Nets are also just two games removed from a 118-107 win over the Cavs on April 8, which should give them plenty of confidence heading into this matchup.

Goran Dragic (health and safety protocols) and Seth Curry (ankle) are probable.

Cavaliers vs Nets Pick & Insights

Cavaliers: Keys To Cover

The Cavs have found success this season by limiting their opponents to just 105.7 points per game – the fifth-best defense in the NBA. Team defense will have to be the focus once again for Cleveland if they’re going to beat Brooklyn. They won’t be able to stop both Durant and Irving, but if they can hold one of the Nets’ superstars to under 20 points, they should be able to keep it interesting.

Nets: Keys To Cover

The Nets have won by 10 or more points in three of their last four wins over the Cavaliers, which should give you a pretty good idea of how this game might turn out. With so much on the line, you can expect both Durant and Irving to show out for Brooklyn.

Odds Shark’s Computer Cavaliers vs Nets Prediction: Nets -8.5

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