Media by Associated Press – Cleveland Cavaliers’ Donovan Mitchell (45) tries to keep the ball in bounds against the Washington Wizards during an NBA basketball game in Cleveland, Friday, March 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Phil Long)
Certain teams are still trying to figure things out with their lineup, despite the NBA system quickly winding to its conclusion. With the increased importance of each game, teams are trying to keep up with each other in the playoff race. Here’s a look at what to expect from Tuesday night.
Cleveland Cavaliers (-3) at Brooklyn Nets
The Nets have been an amazing story. Brooklyn started the season with aspirates of winning the franchise’s first NBA title. Midway through the year, the Nets decided to deal away Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant to start anew. All things considered, Brooklyn didn’t do badly getting a return on a difficult-to-manage trade.
Miles Bridges has scored 25.9 points per game since coming over from Phoenix in a trade. Now, the Nets have to manage their first stretch of turmoil since the deal. Brooklyn has lost three straight games and is in danger of falling into the play in the tournament. Cleveland, meanwhile, has won seven of its past ten games and is shooting 49.1 percent from the field during that stretch.
The Cavaliers are 11-9-2 against the spread as road favorites this season. Brooklyn is 5-6-2 at home as underdogs against the spread. Cleveland will cause uncertainty with the Nets’ attack and cover the spread.
Boston Celtics at Sacramento Kings (+4.5)
The Kings are coming off a tough loss to Utah and will be playing on a back-to-back. Boston is in the sixth game of a six-game road trip. The Celtics are 2-3 against the spread so far on this road trip.
Boston is led by Jayson Tatum, who scores 30 points per game and is a possible MVP candidate. Jaylen Brown supports Tatum by providing 26.7 points per game. The Celtics average 117.1 points per game and shoot 37.6 percent from the 3-point line.
Sacramento has been locked in two shootouts in its last three games, seeing the past three games go over the total. The Kings are 4-3 straight up over its past seven games. Sacramento won’t beat Boston on short rest but will keep it close.
Washington Wizards at Orlando Magic (+1)
The Magic are happy to return home after a difficult four-game road swing where Orlando lost three of its four games. Orlando will be without Jalen Suggs and Jonathan Isaac. Magic rookie Paolo Banchero leads the team with 20 points and 6.6 rebounds per game.
Franz Wagner also contributes 18.7 points per game for Orlando. The Magic are 4-1 against the spread over the past five games. Six of Orlando’s last eight games went over the total. Washington is 3-7 against the spread over its past ten games.
Wizards leading scorer Kristaps Porzingis is listed day to day with an illness. With Porzingis not 100 percent, Orlando will protect the home court and grab a win at home.
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