Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Brooklyn Nets Prediction, Pick, Odds: Can Donovan Mitchell and the Cavs Dominate?

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Brooklyn Nets Prediction, Pick, Odds: Can Donovan Mitchell and the Cavs Dominate?

The Cleveland Cavaliers have a date tonight with the scorching-hot Brooklyn Nets. This is the first meeting between these two contenders this season, and it should be a good one. The Nets come into this game on an eight-game winning streak after taking down the bucks on the 23rd. The Cleveland Cavaliers will try to rebound after falling to the Toronto Raptors and will look to bounce back at home. The Cavs are a slight favorite of two points. Can they get it done?

Do you want to get thousands of dollars in sports betting promos on the Cavaliers vs Nets? Click here to head to our free bets page to claim the offers

Cavaliers vs. Nets Start Time and Where to Watch

• Date: December 26, 2022
• Gametime: 7:00 pm ET
• Where to watch: NBA TV

Cavaliers vs. Nets Odds

Spread: Nets +2 (-109), Cavaliers -2 (-110)

Moneyline: Nets (+115), Cavaliers (-130)

Total: Over 221 (-1108), Under 221 (-110)

Click here for Cavaliers vs Nets odds

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Brooklyn Nets Prediction

The Brooklyn Nets are on fire right now. On offense, they are scoring 114.1 points per game, and they have shot 50.8% from the floor, which is the highest team percentage in the league. Brooklyn ranks sixth in offensive efficiency, and it starts with Kevin Durant. Durant is scoring 29.9 points per game on 56.3% shooting from the field. There are also several Brooklyn players who shoot well from behind the arc. They have shot 38.4% from deep, which is the third-highest three-point shooting percentage in the league.

However, two of their main three-point threats, Joe Harris and Seth Curry, will miss this contest tonight. That is a massive blow against a defensively-sound team like the Cavs, and they may struggle to find offense outside of Kevin Durant tonight. The Brooklyn Nets have also struggled to secure boards. They have averaged just 40.3 rebounds per game, the second-lowest in the league. This will also be an issue against the Cavs.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are only two games back from the Celtics in a wide-open Eastern Conference. They are scoring 110.9 points per contest on 48% shooting from the floor. Their offense ranks 13th in efficiency, but it is on defense where they have really thrived. Donovan Mitchell continues to lead the way on the offensive and defensive end of the court, as he is scoring 28.9 points per game on 49.7% shooting from the field.

Scoring is not the main focus for this team, though, as their defense ranks first overall in adjusted efficiency. They are currently allowing 104.9 points per game and have forced their opponents to shoot 45.5% from the floor, which is the lowest in the league. They continue to contest shots near the rim and on the outside, as they are holding their opponents to 35.2% shooting from behind the arc. Like the Nets, the Cavs have also struggled to secure boards, as they only get 42.7 per game right now, which is 20th in the league. It is slightly better than the Nets, but they will have to keep the Net's second-chance points low to win this game.

The Nets have been incredibly hot lately, winning eight games in a row, which explains why the public is on them tonight, but I like the Cavs to bounce back at home here. The Cavs are 16-3 at home this season, and they have played lockdown defense all season long, especially at home. Without Joe Harris or Seth Curry, the Nets will have to find a way to create offense from behind the arc, and that will be difficult against the Cavs. I'm taking Cleveland to improve on their excellent home-winning record and keep the Nets off their tail in the standings. The Nets have to lose at some point, and this seems like a tough one for them to come out ahead.

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Brooklyn Nets Pick

Pick: Cavaliers -2 @ (-110) Bet $100 to collect $190 FanDuel has the best odds, click here to bet