This is an 8* EAST-COAST EXPRESS on the Cleveland Cavaliers.

I like the Cavs to bounce back with a big effort after coming up short in Friday's 105-103 OT setback in Houston on Friday. Cleveland would actually win the rebound battle decisively, 53-36. The home side gets a big boost today as well with the expected return of Kyrie Irving who will be looking to help his team win a 12th straight in front of the home town crowd. Note that the Cavs have been outscoring opponents by an average of 14.8 points during their 11-game win skein in Cleveland. The Celtics would take the Cavs down to the wire in the team's first meeting of the season, a 122-121 setback in Boston back on November 14th; note that LeBron James is averaging 30.4 points vs. the C's for his highest mark against any team. Boston had won three straight and had a 26 point lead over the Warriors on Sunday but fell apart down the stretch to lose 106-101 and I think today's contest definitely sets up as a classic letdown spot for it after that disheartening setback. Note that Boston is just 11-12 ATS this season after allowing 105 points or more, while Cleveland is 8-4 ATS vs. poor defensive teams which allow 99 plus points per contest. In my opinion, the situation, the numbers and the trends do all indeed point to the CAVALIERS as the savvy move in this contest.

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