NBA Playoff Preview Game #2
New Jersey Nets at Cleveland Cavaliers (Cleveland leads 1-0)
Tuesday, 8:05 pm Eastern TNT
Opening Line: Cavaliers – 5, Total 180
Sasha Pavlovic was a major defensive factor in Game #1 as the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the New Jersey Nets. Pavlovic was big in Clevelands 81-77 win forcing New Jerseys leading scorer, Vince Carter into a 7-23 shooting night.
I was disappointed in myself because I missed easy layups, Carter said. I was able to get to the basket; I just didn’t make my shots. We’re still encOuraged by as up and down as we played it was still a Four-point Game. Pavlovic also made the Game’s biggest defensive play, blocking Jason Kidds layup attempt with just under two minutes left.
The Cavaliers outrebounded the Nets 51-37, including 20 offensive boards and held the Nets to only 77 points. We had a couple good looks that didn’t go in and they scored on the other end, Kidd said. ‘The Game was there for us to have. We came up short, but it’s something we can learn from. We were right there.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are a 4.5 point favorite with a total of 180.5.
Pavlovic didnt play much last year in the playoffs but he is a very important player this time around. I worked hard on my legs and quickness so I could play good defensively, he said. I knew coach was going to give me a chance if I do that.
Nobody can stop Vince, he’s so talented, head coach Mike Brown said. As long as he makes him work, and I thought Sasha did a solid job of making him work last night. But Vince is liable to go for 40 at any given time.
The Nets are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 Games playing on 1 day of rest. The Nets are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 Games as an underdog. The Nets are 9-2 ATS in their last 11 Games overall. The Nets are 9-2 ATS in their last 11 vs. the Eastern Conference. The Nets are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 playoff Games as an underdog. The Nets are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 road Games vs. a team with a winning home record. The Nets are 14-6 ATS in their last 20 vs. the NBA Central. The Nets are 8-1 ATS in the last 9 meetings in Cleveland.
The Underdog is 18-8 ATS in the last 26 meetings between the two teams.
The Cavaliers are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 Tuesday Games. The Cavaliers are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 Conference Semifinals Games. The Cavaliers are 20-8 ATS in their last 28 Games playing on 1 day of rest. The Cavaliers are 29-13-1 ATS in their last 43 Games overall. The Cavaliers are 13-6 ATS in their last 19 home Games vs. a team with a losing road record. The Cavaliers are 13-6 ATS in their last 19 Games as a home favorite. The Cavaliers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 vs. the Atlantic.
The Over is 4-1 in the Nets last 5 Conference Semifinals Games. The Under is 6-2 in the Nets last 8 road Games vs. a team with a winning home record. The Under is 5-2 in the Nets last 7 Games as a road underdog.
The Over is 6-0-1 in the Cavaliers last 7 Tuesday Games. The Under is 6-0 in the Cavaliers last 6 Conference Semifinals Games. The Under is 14-6-1 in the Cavaliers last 21 Games as a home favorite. The Over is 9-4 in the Cavaliers last 13 vs. the Atlantic.