Both teams stumbled out of the gate offensively, but I wouldn't be too quick to assume that what we saw in each team's opener is what we're going to get here. Cleveland scored just 106 points in Philadelphia despite building a stunning 29-point lead, only to collapse in the second half. The Cavaliers shot an abysmal 24.1% from beyond the arc, but that's the danger with Cleveland basketball. They love the three and when it clicks, they ignite. When it doesn't work, they have episodes like what we saw on Thursday. With Donovan Mitchell and James Harden leading the charge, I wouldn't bank on that happening again.
Meanwhile, Brooklyn managed just 103 points against Charlotte, but the Nets committed 22 turnovers which certainly didn't help matters. Julius Randle and Michael Porter Jr. combined for 59 points, so they have offensive personnel there to contribute. Cleveland let me remind you is not a clinical defensive side either, the fact they blew a near 30-point lead is a testatment to that. So Brooklyn will get their looks here too. Here is what interests me even more in the Over. Cleveland is laying double digits which suggests the Cavaliers should have little difficulty generating offense against an inferior Brooklyn outfit. However, the Nets don't necessarily have to keep this competitive for the Over to cash. This could easily be a 140-110 job, but I am not here to guess scores, I am here to find value. Speaking into that, the total has also retreated from the 233 range to 231.5, giving us a reduced number after two rather uninspiring offensive performances. I see considerably more upside from both offenses than their opening game results suggest. Take the Over.
Nets vs. Cavaliers prediction: Over 231.5 (-110) available at time of publishing. Playable to Over 232.
